World Wetlands Day 2026

The World Wetlands Day awareness campaign is organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands. Contracting Parties of the Convention on Wetlands have been celebrating World Wetlands Day since 1997, when it was first established.

About

World Wetlands Day, celebrated each year on 2 February, marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.

Wetlands are among the world’s most diverse productive environments; cradles of biological diversity that provide the water and productivity upon which countless species of plants and animals depend for survival. Wetlands are indispensable for the countless benefits or “ecosystem services” that they provide humanity, ranging from freshwater supply, food and building materials, and biodiversity, to flood control, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation. Wetlands are also essential for biodiversity: though wetlands cover only around 6% of the Earth’s land surface, 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands.

However, wetlands as the most threatened ecosystem. According to the World Heritage and Ramsar Conventions, 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since the beginning of the last century. In most regions across the world, wetlands continue to decline compromising the benefits that wetlands provide to people. According to the Global Wetland Outlook, we lose wetlands three times faster than natural forests. Therefore, the conservation of wetlands is a vital task of humanity, which can help achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Official Website

2026 Theme

“Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage” is the theme for World Wetlands Day 2026. The global campaign spotlights the timeless role of traditional knowledge in sustaining wetland ecosystems and preserving cultural identity.

World Wetlands Day Messages and Statements

Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands

The Role of Geneva

As a global hub for environment governance and the host region of the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, Geneva is key place to protect wetlands and reverse the trend of global loss of wetlands. Many organizations are active in the region to conserve wetland areas locally and globally. Learn more about the importance of wetlands and the role of Geneva in our update below.

Wetlands and the Role of Geneva

Events

World Wetlands Day: Dragonfly stand

1 February 2026 | Maison de la Pêche | 9:00–11:00 CET

Organized by Faune Genève

A booth to test your dragonfly knowledge and discover the Dragonfly Atlas of the Geneva Basin, the latest in a series of reference books on Geneva’s nature.

Siberian ducks and vegetarian ducks

1 February 2026 | Eaux-Vives Lagoon | 10:00–16:00 CET

Organized by the Natural History Museum of Geneva

A booth with ornithologists from the Museum to discuss migrations and the diets of certain ducks—some coming from very far away!

The great importance of small waterbodies

1 February 2026 | 10:00 – 11:30 CET

Organized by the Canton of Geneva

A look back at the restoration of Geneva’s wetlands—from the Eaux‑Vives lagoon to more discreet urban, agricultural, or forest sites—vital for amphibians and many others.

Floating ecosystems — a new refuge for aquatic biodiversity?

1 February 2026 | 11:00–15:00 CET

Organized by Floradeau & HEPIA

Discover the tiny, astonishing life forms inhabiting the lake and an extraordinary “living raft” that could transform our urban waterbodies.

World Wetlands Day | Guided walk around the lake

1 February 2026 | Meeting Point at the Eaux-Vives bridge, close to the Maison de la Pêche | 13:00 (1st visit) & 15:30 (2nd visit)

Organized by Pro Natura Geneva

Red‑crested pochards offer aquatic plants to their partners—but other ducks, like the gadwall (the “snatcher”!), swoop in to steal them…

Safari photo 100% local

1 February 2026 | 12:30 – 14:00 CET

With passionate birdwatchers, tips, advice, and everything you need to know to get started in wildlife photography and experience wonderful emotions while respecting biodiversity.

Organized by Groupe des Jeunes de Nos Oiseaux

World Wetlands Day: The intertwined destinies of seagrass beds and birds

1 February 2026 | 13:00 – 15:00 and 15:30 – 17:30 CET | Espace Léman

Organized by ASL, Groupe des Jeunes de Nos Oiseaux et Groupe ornithologique du bassin genevois

With declining nutrient levels in Lake Geneva and the arrival of the quagga mussel, the composition of the plant meadows in Geneva’s harbor has been greatly altered. Discover these little‑known plants and their role in the Lake Geneva ecosystem, as well as the wintering birds.