2025 has been a year of milestone achievements, renewed urgency and strengthening global recognition that wetlands are not optional add-ons, but central to climate action, water security, biodiversity and human wellbeing. Peatlands, mangroves, rivers and lakes, are irreplaceable ecosystems, impacting our world in ways that are not always valued but are crucial for sustaining life.  

Early in the year, we welcomed our new CEO, Coenraad Krijger and under his leadership, Wetlands International had a year to remember.  

Influencing global policy, taking local action 

Throughout the year, we sent delegations from across the network to critical international fora, influencing policies and raising the profile of wetlands. We participated in the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) in Monaco and the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), the Convention on Wetland COP15, World Water Week, New York Climate Week, IUCN World Conservation Congress, and UNFCCC COP30. Our call for a Wetland Ministerial was signed by over 100 organizations – proof that others are waking up to the value of wetlands.  

Our work to conserve and restore wetland ecosystems continued to progress on the ground with the support of our local partners in places such as Brazil, Kenya, Mongolia, Scotland, the Philippines and many others.  

Initiatives to scale up wetland action 

We took a major step at the Convention on Wetlands COP15 with the formal announcement of the Peatland Breakthrough — a global call to action to conserve, rewet and restore peatlands, and to enable sustainable use. At COP30, we also launched the science-based targets and opened the call for endorsements where Germany joined Peru and Uganda in becoming a Champion Country – signaling strong political will and adding momentum to peatland protection and restoration globally. 

Wetlands International is a founding partner of the Freshwater Challenge (FWC)– a country-led initiative that aims to support, integrate and accelerate the restoration of 300,000 km of degraded rivers and 350 million hectares of degraded wetlands by 2030, as well as conserve intact freshwater ecosystems. Momentum continued to build behind the Freshwater Challenge with Bangladesh, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa and the European Union joining this year. FWC also launched its Business Supporter Program, with the support of GSK, Reckitt and EDEKA, as part of London Climate Action Week. 

Mexico and Brazil joined over 40 other countries in endorsing the Mangrove Breakthrough – a global movement and guiding force for systemic change—redefining how mangroves are valued, financed, and embedded into climate and economic agendas.  

Knowledge, guidance & tools 

Through WET HORIZONS, we highlighted the data products and geospatial tools that will help accelerate peatland restoration efforts across Europe. We published best practice guides for energy-efficient cook stoves, school clubs, and savings and loans groups in mangrove-dependent communities. We also shared why planting mangroves in mudflats is a costly mistake, how mangrove aquaculture can simultaneously improve fishing yields while conserving the habitat and how ecological mangrove restoration is ensuring long-term success. The use of Global Mangrove Watch also continued to improve mangrove action globally while the Waterbird Population Portal continued to provide current and historic estimates for over 800 waterbird species and 2300 biogeographic populations worldwide. 

We contributed to reports like the State of the World’s Saltmarshes, Global Wetland Outlook, Africa’s Forgotten Fishes, and the Mangrove Breakthrough Regional Reports.  

Our work, and those of others who conserve and restore wetlands, cannot happen without significant finances. While wetlands still require a significant increase in funding, we are grateful for countries like Australia and the UK, funds like the COmON Foundation and companies like Diageo who support wetland action. 

The losses outlined in the Global Wetland Outlook are not abstract: they threaten livelihoods, biodiversity, climate stability, water security, and the futures of many communities.  

2025 showed us what’s possible when science, advocacy, policy and restoration come together. To our partners, donors, volunteers, governments, local communities: thank you. Your trust, collaboration and dedication have helped turn wetlands from the margins to the frontline of climate and nature action. 

But the job is far from done. 2026 must bring deeper commitment, larger investments, and tangible action — restoring and protecting wetlands worldwide, for people and nature alike. 

We are already looking forward to participating at a series of global COPs on biodiversity, climate, drought and desertification, and migratory species as well as the 2^nd UN Water Conference. And to celebrating some momentous occasions like 60 years of the International Waterbird Census, and World Wetlands Day – as well as our 30^th Birthday!   

Together, we can make wetlands the cornerstone of a resilient and thriving future.