World Wetlands Day 2025

The World Wetlands Day awareness campaign is organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands. Contracting Parties of the Convention on Wetlands have been celebrating World Wetlands Day since 1997, when it was first established.

About

World Wetlands Day, celebrated each year on 2 February, marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.

Wetlands are among the world’s most diverse productive environments; cradles of biological diversity that provide the water and productivity upon which countless species of plants and animals depend for survival. Wetlands are indispensable for the countless benefits or “ecosystem services” that they provide humanity, ranging from freshwater supply, food and building materials, and biodiversity, to flood control, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation. Wetlands are also essential for biodiversity: though wetlands cover only around 6% of the Earth’s land surface, 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands.

However, wetlands as the most threatened ecosystem. According to the World Heritage and Ramsar Conventions, 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since the beginning of the last century. In most regions across the world, wetlands continue to decline compromising the benefits that wetlands provide to people. According to the Global Wetland Outlook, we lose wetlands three times faster than natural forests. Therefore, the conservation of wetlands is a vital task of humanity, which can help achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Official Website

2025 Theme

“Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” is the theme for World Wetlands Day 2025.

The theme underscores the urgency of bold action to protect these natural habitats for the welfare of all people – and so future generations can continue to benefit from all that wetlands provide.

World Wetlands Day 2025 is of particular significance, as it this year the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15)will take place. Every three years, representatives of the governments of each of the Contracting Parties meet to facilitate crucial discussions on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and to agree on a work program for the next three years.

Messages

Musonda Mumba, Secretary General, Convention on Wetlands

Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General of CITES

Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN

Discover More on Wetlands

Events

On 2 February 2025, various actors from Geneva are planning activities for World Wetlands Day, under the theme “Vive la renaturation urbaine”, including guided tours, observation posts, and partner-organized activities. Geneva offers a wide range of events to explore the colorful wealth of aquatic spaces and renaturated shores. A great way to forget the winter gloom and rediscover the surprising waters of Lake Geneva!

The activities are organized by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, the State of Geneva, the City of Geneva Natural History Museum, Association pour la sauvegarde du Léman (ASL), Groupe des jeunes de Nos Oiseaux-Genève, Groupe ornithologique du bassin genevois (GOBG), HEPIA, La Libellule, Pro Natura Genève. For the full program, you may consult dans ma Nature Genève.

Martin-pêcheur, fuligules et cie

2 February 2025 | 09:00 – 11:30 CET

The Groupe Ornithologique du Bassin Genevois (GOBG) proposes a walk in search of the Kingfisher and the enigmatic Ferruginous Duck. From the Port Noir to the Jardin Anglais, come and discover the treasures that harbors hold in winter.

Reconnaitre à coup sûr les oiseaux d’eau urbains

2 February 2025 | 09:00 – 16:00 CET

Throughout the day, come and learn how to observe birds and recognize the main species present in winter on Lake Geneva, in the company of ornithologists from the Natural History Museum.

Le lac renaturé à vue d’oiseaux : une croisière avec l’inspecteur de la Faune

2 February 2025 | 09:00 – 11:30 CET or 14:00 – 16:30 CET

A unique urban water safari to rediscover our riverbanks and waterfowl, as well as learn about the game of renaturation.

Les dessous d’un radeau-jardin et de ses habitants

2 February 2025 | 11:00 – 15:00

The Nature Management program offers a workshop to showcase the various urban landscaping and renaturation projects carried out by program staff and/or students. This will give the public an insight into this profession and the practical application of the knowledge acquired in the course. At the same time, HEPIA organizes a small naturalist activity focusing on the macro-invertebrates present in the reed beds of the Rade Genevoise. This will enable the public to see the diversity of the often little-known species that inhabit our lake, and the importance they play in the trophic chain as a whole.

Le lac renaturé à vue… d’Eider : une causerie avec l’inspecteur de la Faune

2 February 2025 | 12:30 – 13:15 CET

Are you familiar with this cozy bird, the originator of quilts? Between room and board, what would it take to encourage the Eider on our shores? A freewheeling chat about the challenges facing breeding birds on Lake Geneva.

Un lac en bonne santé, havre de paix pour les oiseaux

2 February 2025 | 14:00 – 16:00 CET

How do birds resist the cold with their feet in the water? To find out all you need to know about the lake’s riches, let’s start with a warm workshop in the perfectly equipped premises of “Espace Léman”. Then let’s get hands-on with our binoculars and explore the renaturated sites of Eaux-Vives.

A la découverte des oiseaux pêcheurs

2 February 2025 | 14:00 – 16:00 CET

Come and discover the fish-eating birds of Lake Geneva. Accompanied by an enthusiastic naturalist, stroll along Eaux-Vives and learn more about these fish-eating birds: mergansers, grebes and cormorants will be on hand!

Les canards de la Rade – Pavillon Plantamour

2 February 2025 | 13:00 – 17:00 CET

Geneva’s roadstead and Rhône are important areas for biodiversity. To mark International Wetlands Day, a naturalist will be on hand to introduce you to the rade’s winged fauna.

The Role of Geneva

As a global hub for environment governance and the host region of the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, Geneva is key place to protect wetlands and reverse the trend of global loss of wetlands. Many organizations are active in the region to conserve wetland areas locally and globally. Learn more about the importance of wetlands and the role of Geneva in our update below.

Wetlands and the Role of Geneva