“Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” is the theme for both World Wetlands Day 2025 and for the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15), which will take place in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, 23-31 July 2025.
This year’s theme centers around two key concepts: our unity and our future. By valuing and protecting these richly biodiverse, productive ecosystems – and inspiring action on their behalf – together, we can safeguard our common future and wellbeing. We all want a world wherein all people, everywhere, can continue to benefit from the life-sustaining services that wetlands provide.
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) joins the global community in celebrating World Wetlands Day 2025, under the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.” SPNL Director General, Assad Serhal, emphasizes the critical role wetlands play in sustaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and supporting human well-being.
“Life thrives in wetlands, and human life depends on them,” said Serhal. “These ecosystems provide habitat and breeding grounds for numerous endangered species while also acting as natural buffers against storm surges, floods, and droughts.”
Despite their importance, wetlands remain under threat from unsustainable development, pollution, and climate change. SPNL urges policymakers, stakeholders, and communities to take immediate action in protecting these fragile ecosystems through effective conservation strategies and sustainable management practices.
Celebrate World Wetlands Day 2025 in style with this exclusive white t-shirt, designed to promote awareness and action for wetland conservation. Featuring a minimalist yet impactful design, this t-shirt embodies the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”, reminding everyone of the crucial role wetlands play in sustaining life.
Crafted from 100% organic cotton, this eco-friendly t-shirt offers a soft, breathable fit, making it perfect for everyday wear or participation in wetland conservation activities. The design showcases a unique wetland-inspired graphic, symbolizing the importance of biodiversity, water conservation, and climate resilience.
By purchasing this t-shirt for $15, you are directly supporting SPNL’s vital work in preserving wetlands and protecting these critical ecosystems for future generations.
Get yours today and be a part of the global movement to safeguard our wetlands! 🌿💧
To further engage in World Wetlands Day, SPNL invites the public to download for free the World Wetlands Day 2025 Color-in Poster from Souk Al Hima Shop to encourage creativity and awareness about wetland conservation.
As part of World Wetlands Day 2025, SPNL calls on individuals and organizations to take three key actions:
- Prevent wetland pollution by making conscious choices in daily life;
- Join global and local efforts to conserve and sustainably manage wetlands;
- Participate in wetland restoration initiatives within their communities.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to wetland conservation in Lebanon and beyond,” Serhal added. “This World Wetlands Day, let’s take decisive action to protect these invaluable ecosystems for future generations.”
SPNL encourages the public to engage in wetland conservation efforts and share their initiatives using #WorldWetlandsDay2025.
In the spotlight: World Wetlands Day 2025
World Wetlands Day is a global awareness campaign that spotlights the critical importance of these richly biodiverse and productive ecosystems. Every 2 February, the campaign calls on nations – and everyone everywhere – to protect our planet’s wetlands. It reminds us that healthy wetlands are essential for our universal wellbeing and long-term survival.
This year’s campaign centers on the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.” It underscores the urgency of bold action to protect these natural habitats for the welfare of all people – and so future generations can continue to benefit from all that wetlands provide.
How it started
On 2 February 1997, people from across the globe celebrated the very first World Wetlands Day – paying tribute to the inherent value of these precious environments. But the day’s his- torical significance dates back even further. On 2 February 1971, in Ramsar, Iran, along the shores of the Caspian Sea, the world’s first modern global multilateral environmental agree- ment – the Convention on Wetlands – was signed and adopted as an international treaty. To- day, the Convention counts 172 countries in its membership, officially known as Contracting Parties. Each is committed to the conservation and wise, sustainable use of wetlands in their countries.
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a call for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world. It runs from 2021 to 2030.
Why it matters
Life thrives in wetlands, and human life depends on them. Wetlands provide the home or breeding ground of many endangered and threatened species. And a multitude of endemic plants and animals can only survive in certain wetland locations. Beyond the clean water and food that wetlands provide, they help protect against natural disasters by mitigating the im- pact of storm surges, floods and droughts. By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in their soil and biomass, wetlands make the planet more resilient to climate change. Economically, people depend on wetlands for livelihoods in agriculture, tourism and recreation. And these ecosystems are tied to long-standing cultural practices that enable human societies to use nature in a sustainable way so they can thrive. Yet, wetlands remain among the most threatened ecosystems.
Who’s involved
This unifying global campaign involves the entire world. It’s a chance for all nations to come together in advocacy for our planet’s wetlands. The Secretariat of the Convention organizes the World Wetlands Day campaign each year, with Contracting Parties taking part. But the effort includes people from all over the world, governments, national and international conser- vation and sustainability organizations, businesses, non-governmental organizations, media, and youth and other stakeholder groups. The United Nations also participates. In 2021, the 2 UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that established 2 February as World Wetlands Day, encouraging all 193 UN member states to get involved.
World Wetlands Day 2025 is of particular significance, as it coincides with the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15). Every three years, representatives of the governments of each of the Contracting Parties meet to fa- cilitate crucial discussions on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and to agree on a work program for the next three years. Zimbabwe is the global conservation arena for COP15 – scheduled for 23-31 July 2025 in Victoria Falls under the same theme as World Wet- lands Day 2025: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.” The Republic of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry is the key partner for both COP15 and World Wetlands Day 2025. Wetlands: A brief description
- Website: worldwetlandsday.org
- Hashtags: #WWD2025 #WetlandsForOurCommonFuture #WetlandsCOP15 #ActForWetlands
- Twitter: @RamsarConv @MumbaMusondam (Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConventionOnWetlands
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ConventionOnWetlands/
- LinkedIn: Convention on Wetlands: Overview | LinkedIn
Visit www.worldwetlandsday.org for all social media visuals and other campaign materials. For further information and any questions, please contact the Secretariat.
