The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will take place from 19–30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.

Despite covering only about 6% of the Earth’s surface, wetlands are some of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet, hosting hundreds of thousands of species in rivers, reefs, lakes, lagoons, marshes and mangroves. These ecosystems are biodiversity powerhouses, sustaining a dazzling array of species from iconic mammals, like hippos, dolphins and otters to migratory waterbirds, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, crabs and insects and so much more.

But we have lost over 22% of the world’s wetlands since 1970 and are continuing to lose them at an alarming rate. The clearest sign of the damage we have done to our wetlands is the 85% collapse in freshwater species population on average since 1970. Urgent action is needed to protect and restore the world’s wetlands to safeguard all these extraordinary species and reverse the loss of nature.

Briefing paper for CBD COP17

Wetlands International is calling on Contracting Parties to CBD COP17 to:

1. Prioritise wetlands as vital natural infrastructure for biodiversity, climate and people. Champion wetlands in high-level dialogues, COP decisions, and national actions to enhance delivery of the KMGBF. Recognise wetlands as critical watery interconnectors of all three Rio Conventions and the UN Water Conference.
2. Increase ambition and action on wetland restoration and conservation to deliver Targets 1, 2 and 3. Improve the incorporation of Wetlands of International Importance and other wetlands into 30×30 and the Protected Areas Programme of Work. Engage with multistakeholder implementation initiatives such as the Freshwater Challenge, Mangrove Breakthrough, and Peatland Breakthrough.
3. Invest in wetlands as ultimate nature-based solutions for climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, and as critical nodes in the global hydrological cycle. Include an explicit focus on water and water-related ecosystems as part of efforts to align biodiversity and climate action. Mainstream wetland protection, restoration and wise use at national level, in climate finance, and in the multilevel roadmap.
4. Accelerate resource mobilization for inland water and coastal wetland restoration and conservation, and redirect harmful subsidies. Integrate wetlands into national biodiversity finance plans; use GEF, GCF, MDB and bilateral finance to build investment pipelines; and mobilise private and blended finance with environmental and social safeguards.
5. Enhance practical cooperation with the Convention on Wetlands to strengthen KMGBF implementation and MEA synergies. Make the most of wetland data, technical guidance on integrating wetlands into NBSAPs and other topics. Strengthen collaboration between National Focal Points; and improve cooperation between Ramsar Regional Initiatives and CBD Technical Support Centres.
6. Incorporate wetlands into subnational implementation of the KMGBF and strengthen connections with the Wetland City Accreditation scheme.Support the fuller integration of wetlands into urban development frameworks and spatial zonation; and prioritise wetlands as natural infrastructure in urban planning.
7. Address the direct and indirect drivers of wetland biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Transform agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and water-related infrastructure sectors. Explore the benefits of ecocentric approaches such as Rights of Wetlands and Rights of Rivers.

Find us at CBD COP17

Wed 21 October

Mobilizing Resources for freshwater biodiversity from Water Towers to Wetlands: scaling up the Freshwater Challenge

18:15-19:45
Dilijan – Contact Group 5

This side event will highlight how “water towers” and connected freshwater ecosystems can become a practical entry point for accelerating implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, how resources are being mobilized to support that and how the Freshwater Challenge initiative is a key pathway to safeguard freshwater biodiversity and beyond.

Thurs 22 October

Wetlands as Natural Water Infrastructure for Delivery of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

18:15-19:45
Ashtarak – NGOs Group meeting room – Block 2, 3rd Floor

The session will support enhanced implementation by showcasing country, basin, and subnational experiences and identifying practical pathways for scaling wetland conservation and restoration. These include improved financing, capacity development, scientific and technical cooperation, and knowledge management, while strengthening alignment across multilateral environmental agreements and advancing biodiversity mainstreaming and water–climate–land integration.

Fri 23 October

Peatlands and Wetlands as Strategic Assets: Financing Resilience, Security, and the Next Generation of Nature Markets

15:00-16:15
MDB Pavilion

Sat 24 October

Water and biodiversity day at Global Biodiversity Framework Pavilion

14:00-18:00
GBF Pavilion

Sun 25 October

Ecocentric Accelerants Under the KMGBF: Rights of Nature, Ecocide, and Legal Innovations for Nature

11:30-12:30
Forum room B, IUCN Pavilion

This side event explores how Rights of Nature, legislation on ecocide, and other ecocentric, inclusive, and rights-based approaches can help accelerate progress toward global biodiversity goals, close implementation gaps, and transform humanity’s relationship with nature.

Mon 26 October

Raising our sights on Inland Waters to achieve 2050 Goals – Challenges, Early Successes and Clear Pathways

14:00-15:00
Nature Positive Pavilion

Countries, communities and partners have emerged to make unprecedented commitments and innovations in how to protect, restore and track progress for conservation of rivers, lakes, peatlands and other wetlands. This event will spotlight those pathways through an interactive dialogue led by governments, Indigenous and local community leaders, financiers and civil society partners. The discussion will center on common challenges raised in the Global Report and consolidate experience-based solutions for implementation and monitoring of inland water ecosystems.

Wed 28 October

Mainstreaming Social, Cultural and Economic Values of Protecting and Restoring Inland Water Biodiversity

13:15-14:45
Lastiver – Youth Group meeting room

This event will showcase exemplary case studies of inland water protection and restoration that contribute to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including Target 3 on conserving inland waters and Target 2 on ecosystem restoration. It will celebrate the progress made since the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework while exploring how successful approaches can be accelerated and scaled to achieve greater impact.

Thurs 29 October

GEO-Wetlands: Operationalizing Wetland Earth Observation for National Action and KMGBF Reporting

11:30-12:30