From the Mediterranean to the world: Ramsar Regional Initiatives shine at Ramsar COP15

The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15) took place from 23 to 31 July 2025 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Based on the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” the conference highlighted the crucial role wetlands play in maintaining ecological health, supporting biodiversity, and strengthening climate resilience.

COP15 brought together delegates from the Convention’s 172 Contracting Parties, along with representatives from international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), wetland experts, observers, and other stakeholders. Through plenary sessions, side events, and informal meetings, participants engaged in key discussions aimed at advancing wetland conservation, enhancing international cooperation, and promoting sustainable practices to safeguard these vital ecosystems and the services they provide.

The Ramsar Regional Initiatives (RRIs) were actively engaged at COP15 through multiple meetings and side events, namely:

Coordination meeting between the Ramsar Regional Initiatives and the Ramsar Secretariat
MedWet chaired this meeting of the 15 RRIs attending the conference, with Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands, and Beom-sik Yoo, Senior Advisor for Asia/Oceania at the Convention.

Chris Rostron and Musonda Mumba at the RRI coordination meeting, COP15

The group discussed the issues facing RRIs, how they can support each other and learn from each other, and how the Secretariat could better support them by using reporting to promote the achievements of the RRI mechanism.

RRI coordination meeting, COP15

Ramsar Regional Initiatives – delivering for Ramsar globally through regional partnerships
MedWet hosted a joint side event bringing together all RRIs to celebrate their achievements and share good practices from around the world.
MedWet, the oldest RRI, opened the event attended by over 100 participants, with a welcome from Coordinator Chris Rostron. The event was honored by the presence of Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands. She shared inspiring words on the central role of RRIs in delivering the Convention’s objectives and strengthening its global impact.

Representatives of RRIs taking part in the side event at Ramsar COP15

The event showcased the diversity of RRI work across regions, with testimonials from contracting parties. The session also explored future directions—promoting collaboration between RRIs, supporting less active ones, and considering the creation of new initiatives.

Key strengths of the RRIs identified during the session include:

  • Leveraging funding to support the implementation of Ramsar objectives at regional and national levels.
  • Providing a supportive mechanism for Contracting Parties.
  • Delivering Ramsar activities such as World Wetlands Day, capacity building, and wetland inventories.

The RRIs reaffirmed the importance of stronger collaboration, peer learning, and using the identity of the Convention on Wetlands to increase visibility, influence, and opportunities.

At the Ramsar COP15, Chris Rostron, Coordinator of MedWet, met with Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands, to discuss the vital role of MedWet—the oldest Ramsar Regional Initiative—in advancing the Convention’s objectives across the Mediterranean. Their exchange highlighted MedWet’s long-standing contributions to wetland conservation, wetland data collection, knowledge sharing, training on wetland inventories, regional cooperation, and policy support in one of the world’s most ecologically and culturally diverse regions.

Launch of the Southern Africa Ramsar Regional Initiative (SARRI)
Chris Rostron, MedWet Coordinator, participated in a panel during the launch side event of SARRI. The main objective of the launch was to formally introduce SARRI and raise awareness about its mission to support a broad range of conservation and development opportunities in wetland landscapes across the SADC region.

Chris Rostron in the panel during the SARRI launch side event, alongside Sandra Ponde (Zambia) and Florent Merle from the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB)

The event highlighted the importance of wetlands as critical ecosystems for biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. By engaging key stakeholders, the launch emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address pressing environmental challenges while promoting socio-economic development.

SARRI side event © NatureXpairs

RRIs stand at COP15
MedWet coordinated with the other RRIs to host a 6m x 3m stand at COP15, showcasing global wetland information and screening the RRI film produced by the Ramsar Secretariat, which highlights the diverse and far-reaching impact of the RRIs worldwide.

The MedWet team at the RRI stand

MedWet also created a world map featuring all the RRIs, each accompanied by QR codes linking to their respective websites.

The RRIs took turns staffing the stand—and the MedWet Coordinator even had the honour of welcoming His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe.

The MedWet Coordinator with the President of Zimbabwe

RRI Resolution
The key Draft Resolution on RRIs confirms their role in the delivery of the Ramsar objectives. The Resolution outlined the importance of the RRI mechanism to a successful implementation of the Convention. It also recognised the need for more RRIs, and allows for this to be supported inter-sessionally at the Standing Committees. It is an essential Resolution to allow our MedWet members to continue to support us, so includes our budget and contributions table.

Conclusions:
This COP saw the highest visibility and coordination of the RRIs for many years, really giving the Convention on Wetlands and its partners a clear idea of how RRIs contribute. In the last reporting period, RRIs brought in an additional CHF4 million (USD5 million) as well as countless benefits from project delivery, work with country members and other partners, and a strong CEPA focus. Our Stand, the side event and the new film really communicated this well. We also prepared and used a lot of communication materials to share on social media and our website. Working together with the RRIs has created a strong community that we intend to continue to support.

Time spent with the Ramsar Secretariat was invaluable, and showed that they hugely appreciate what the MedWet and the RRIs do for the Convention. Discussions with Musonda Mumba, the Ramsar regional representatives and other members of the Secretariat team have confirmed our relationships with them. We also worked closely with the IOPs (International Organisation Partners) of Ramsar, who share many similar areas of activity and with whom we already work at the regional level.