Hon Ministers, ladies and gentlemen, 

My name is Tomos Avent from WWT and I speak today on behalf of the six International Organisation Partners of the Convention. 

There is a growing recognition and appreciation of the multi-functional values of wetlands. Their immense biodiversity value and their role in climate change mitigation and adaptation is gaining traction within other multilateral environmental processes.  Only last week, the World Economic Forum released their Global Risk Report, with the top 4 long-term risks all water-related, recognising the relevance of wetlands in resolving some of the greatest threats posed to the global economy. Wetlands are becoming more visible in Nationally Determined Contributions and in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. This helps position wetland conservation and wise-use in policy, planning and for funding – and there is much more we can do to harness this opportunity.  

The wider Nature-based Solutions that wetlands offer are also gaining recognition, leading to the generation of novel financing for wetland conservation, the Asian Development Bank’s Regional Flyway Initiative being an excellent example of this. 

Resolution XIV.6 on enhancing synergies, adopted at CoP14, has played an important role in mainstreaming wetlands. In response to this Resolution, it is encouraging to see the momentum of the country-led Freshwater Challenge, as one example. This boosts the role of freshwater wetland restoration in reaching international commitments on climate, biodiversity, land degradation, Disaster Risk Reduction and SDGs. And in December, the GEF announced 5 million US dollars of investment in the Freshwater Challenge as a critical initiative to achieving the Global Biodiversity Framework targets. 

CoP15 in Zimbabwe provides a platform to build on this momentum. The Convention on Wetlands has a unique role to play in ensuring these vital habitats are prioritised in the wider policy arena. 

Now, through the development of a new Strategic Plan, the Convention has an opportunity to translate this policy process into transformative action. 

The IOPs look forward to working with and supporting Contracting Parties to develop and implement Draft Resolutions that help move the Convention faster and further to achieve better management, protection and wise-use of wetlands. 

In particular, we encourage greater cross-sectoral collaboration to tackle the principal drivers of wetland degradation, especially related to unsustainable agriculture and financial systems that do not account for the natural capital and wider values provided by wetlands. 

There are major benefits to be had through securing greater private sector involvement and engagement in delivering the goals of the Convention.  We see this as a significant opportunity, so far relatively untapped by the Convention. 

Wetland climate mitigation and carbon financing are also areas deserving of greater attention, especially as the wetland conservation community attempts to position itself to mobilise growing funding opportunities in this area. 

The IOPs are aware of the many Ramsar sites at risk, and eager to work with Contracting Parties to ensure that these sites receive the attention and support they require. 

As we look forward to CoP15, we are excited to take full advantage of the CEPA opportunity presented by the bringing together of the wetland conservation community. Whether it be through capacity building, regional engagement or communication initiatives, we stand ready to explore ideas alongside Contracting Parties to maximise this opportunity. 

We look forward to ambitious and fruitful discussions over the course of this week, as we build towards COP15.