##  [Wetlands International at CBD COP17](/portal/wetland-knowledge/events/wetlands-international-cbd-cop17) 

Organization

[Wetlands International](/organization/wetlands-international)

 

 

Location

Armenia



 

Event Date and Time

 October 19th, 2026 at 8:00am to October 30th, 2026 at 5:00pm 

 

 [Register Here](https://www.wetlands.org/event/wetlands-international-at-cbd-cop17/) 

 

# Wetlands International at CBD COP17



Published on:















Event



Event start date:

**Date:** Oct 19, 2026 - Oct 30, 2026



The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will take place from 19–30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.

Despite covering only about 6% of the Earth’s surface, wetlands are some of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet, hosting hundreds of thousands of species in rivers, reefs, lakes, lagoons, marshes and mangroves. These ecosystems are biodiversity powerhouses, sustaining a dazzling array of species from iconic mammals, like hippos, dolphins and otters to migratory waterbirds, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, crabs and insects and so much more.

But we have lost over 22% of the world’s wetlands since 1970 and are continuing to lose them at an alarming rate. The clearest sign of the damage we have done to our wetlands is the [85% collapse in freshwater species population on average since 1970](https://livingplanet.panda.org/). Urgent action is needed to protect and restore the world’s wetlands to safeguard all these extraordinary species and reverse the loss of nature.

## Briefing paper for CBD COP17

[Wetlands International is calling on Contracting Parties to CBD COP17 to:](https://www.wetlands.org/wetland-action-to-accelerate-implementation-of-gbf/)

1. **Prioritise wetlands as vital natural infrastructure for biodiversity, climate and people.** Champion wetlands in high-level dialogues, COP decisions, and national actions to enhance delivery of the KMGBF. Recognise wetlands as critical watery interconnectors of all three Rio Conventions and the UN Water Conference.
2. **Increase ambition and action on wetland restoration and conservation to deliver Targets 1, 2 and 3.** Improve the incorporation of Wetlands of International Importance and other wetlands into 30×30 and the Protected Areas Programme of Work. Engage with multistakeholder implementation initiatives such as the Freshwater Challenge, Mangrove Breakthrough, and Peatland Breakthrough.
3. **Invest in wetlands as ultimate nature-based solutions for climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, and as critical nodes in the global hydrological cycle**. Include an explicit focus on water and water-related ecosystems as part of efforts to align biodiversity and climate action. Mainstream wetland protection, restoration and wise use at national level, in climate finance, and in the multilevel roadmap.
4. **Accelerate resource mobilization for inland water and coastal wetland restoration and conservation, and redirect harmful subsidies.** Integrate wetlands into national biodiversity finance plans; use GEF, GCF, MDB and bilateral finance to build investment pipelines; and mobilise private and blended finance with environmental and social safeguards.
5. **Enhance practical cooperation with the Convention on Wetlands to strengthen KMGBF implementation and MEA synergies**. Make the most of wetland data, technical guidance on integrating wetlands into NBSAPs and other topics. Strengthen collaboration between National Focal Points; and improve cooperation between Ramsar Regional Initiatives and CBD Technical Support Centres.
6. **Incorporate wetlands into subnational implementation of the KMGBF and strengthen connections with the Wetland City Accreditation scheme**.Support the fuller integration of wetlands into urban development frameworks and spatial zonation; and prioritise wetlands as natural infrastructure in urban planning.
7. **Address the direct and indirect drivers of wetland biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.** Transform agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and water-related infrastructure sectors. Explore the benefits of ecocentric approaches such as Rights of Wetlands and Rights of Rivers.