High Level Segment

Wetland ecosystems provide a range of provisioning, regulatory and supporting ecosystem goods and services, including water and food supply for both humans and wild animals, fodder and building materials, carbon and nutrient sequestration, wild animal habitats including unique habitats for endangered species (including migratory water birds), flood- and drought-buffering capacity, ecotourism and cultural services, Chakraborty et al (2023).

Wetland ecosystems only cover 0.8% of the earth’s surface, but they support approximately 10% of all known species, and are among the world’s most biodiverse habitats. Wetland ecosystems are among the most threatened natural ecosystems in the world, particularly from land use change, increasing urbanization and agricultural expansion, Global Wetland Outlook Special Edition (2021). Globally, wetlands are increasingly threatened by various natural and anthropogenic factors including climate change, land degradation and pollution.

Wetland loss has various impacts on human wellbeing, economic development and environmental sustainability. There is evidence of significantly reduced abundance of populations of flora and fauna attributed to wetland loss and pollution impacts, particularly eutrophication, chemical and metal toxicity, and the hazards of plastic and other wastes. Fragmentation of rivers through dam building and water diversion, with resultant wetland habitat losses and degradation, has a significant impact on fish populations, especially migratory and endemic fish species.

Halting and reversing the loss of wetlands require a raft of measures by all Contracting Parties to the Convention. Equally important are the approaches adopted that foster regional and international cooperation including building and fostering synergies among all multilateral environmental agreements and international organisations.

To this end, Zimbabwe will host a High-Level Ministerial Segment at COP15, with the support from the Secretariat. Senior officials will discuss issues related to the COP15 theme “Protecting Wetlands, For Our Common”, and will be invited to adopt the Victoria Falls Declaration for Sustainable Wetland Conservation.