The Ramsar Wetland Conservation Awards (Ramsar Awards) celebrates and recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions towards promoting the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Now on its 9th edition, the Ramsar Awards are presented to three worthy individuals whose passion for protecting and conserving wetlands is rooted in tradition and innovation. Each of the awardees received the Evian Special Prize of USD 10,000, provided by the Danone Group.
Nathalie Alquier, Danone, Xia Jun, COP14 SC Chair, and Musonda Mumba, Secretary General, Convention on Wetlands, presented the Ramsar Awards, in three categories:
- Innovation: Laura Gonzalez (Panama), Executive Director, Marea Verde, for pioneering the Wanda system—river-based waste capture solutions that prevent waste and plastic from reaching Panama Bay, while also engaging local communities through environmental education;
- Young Wetland Champions: Iman Ebrahimi (Iran), Founder, AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society, for fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship in three Wetlands of International Importance, and leading a campaign to elevate the ruddy shelduck as a flagship species for boosting ecotourism; and
- Indigenous Peoples Conservation and Wise Use: Dayana Blanco Quiroga (Bolivia), Founder, Team Uru Uru, for restoring Lake Uru Uru by integrating Indigenous knowledge and nature-based solutions, empowering women and youth, and enhancing climate resilience.
In closing the awards ceremony, Musonda Mumba, Secretary General, Convention on Wetlands, highlighted their inspirational stories and praised the recipients’ courage for answering “yes” to taking action.