During the high level opening session, Wetlands International CEO, Coenraad Krijger, gave a compelling speech on behalf of the six International Organization Partners to the Convention on Wetlands – BirdLife International, the International Water Management Institute, IUCN, Wetlands International, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and WWF.

“Mr President, Excellencies, Secretary General, partners and colleagues.

We sincerely thank the Republic of Zimbabwe for hosting this important COP in such an inspiring location: beside one of the world’s most iconic wetlands, the Victoria Falls, along the mighty Zambezi River, which like many wetlands connects communities across borders, and links land and sea. 

Here too, recent devastating droughts serve as a reminder of the vulnerability of wetlands to the worsening climate crisis – and the increased urgency of safeguarding them, as foundations of resilient societies and economies.  

Multilateralism is also feeling the heat.

Yet, we need a strong Convention on Wetlands now more than ever, as a driving force for wetland conservation, restoration and wise use.

Cooperation and collaboration sit at the heart of this convention, with wetlands often flowing over national boundaries, and with its creation spurred by the need to conserve global flyways for migratory waterbirds: these precious networks of interconnected wetlands across continents.

But as the Global Wetland Outlook shows, we are still losing wetlands faster than any other ecosystems.

We must all step up. 

For us as International Organisation Partners, that means doing more to advocate for the diverse and irreplaceable values of healthy wetlands, and to urgently scale up action.

It means doing more to champion the Convention on Wetlands itself, and to prioritise transformative action. Let’s not forget that approaches rooted in indigenous and local knowledge are ecocentric in nature and offer alternative pathways to reconcile our relationship with wetlands.

It also means prioritising wetlands more widely: as critical watery connectors across all Rio Conventions, especially at the forthcoming climate COP30 in Brazil, in national climate plans, and in climate finance.

Key to this is success here at COP15 – is what we view as the Big Five:

First, the adoption of an ambitious 5th Strategic Plan – with clear goals, targets and indicators; actions to address the drivers of wetland loss; and alignment with the restoration and 30 by 30 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Second, a focus on finance: identifying pathways to increase funding for the Convention and leverage huge new investment in wetlands.

Third, the adoption, and commitment to rapid implementation, of key resolutions, including on  freshwater wetland restoration; protected areas and OECMs; Waterbird Population Estimates; synergies; and flyways.

Fourth, expanding engagement with the Freshwater Challenge, Mangrove Breakthrough, and Peatland Breakthrough – all voluntary, global initiatives to mobilize resources and accelerate action at national level, on the ground.

And last – but by no means least – a compelling call to action for wetlands as superpower solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation to galvanize ambition and investment towards Climate COP30.

We would like to see this take shape as a wetlands ministerial in Belem : focusing on all critical wetland ecosystems from rivers, lakes and peatlands to marshes, mudflats and mangroves. 

Dear distinguished delegates – this wetlands COP is a watershed moment.

As your partners for wetlands, the International Organisation Partners are ready to rise to the challenge of accelerating action for wetlands: through our work at global and regional level, and nationally through our programmes and offices. And we are committed to playing our part in making this COP a success, to secure a brighter future for wetlands and for people, nature and climate.

We look forward to working with everyone here to seize this opportunity.”