The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands sought to reverse wetland loss and degradation through increased synergies with other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), institutional strengthening, enhanced implementation tools, partnerships and networks, and adequate financial support. COP15 adopted 25 resolutions and three consolidated resolutions.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary report of the meeting notes that while wetlands provide water filtration, flood control, carbon storage, food and water security, and homes for countless species, they are vanishing at a rate three times faster than forests. According to the Global Wetland Outlook 2025, since 1970, more than 411 million hectares of natural wetlands have been lost globally, and a quarter of all wetland plant and animal species are facing extinction.

The meeting adopted the Victoria Falls Declaration, which, the ENB analysis of the meeting explains, “reaffirm[s] the commitment to protecting wetlands in the face of accelerating loss.” In addition, the talks yielded resolutions on, inter alia, the fifth Strategic Plan 2025-2034 (SP5), the budget, the recruitment process for a new Secretary General, Ramsar Information Sheets, and culture and wetlands.

“Negotiations on SP5,” ENB reports, “revealed divisions between those pushing for measurable targets aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and others wary of overstepping the Convention’s mandate.” While some observers questioned whether SP5 truly reflects the transformative ambition needed, most applauded the hard-fought 4.1% nominal increase in the Convention’s budget.

In addition to these accomplishments, the meeting highlighted challenges. “Discussions on updating the Ramsar Information Sheets exposed tensions around data submissions for Wetlands of International Importance, particularly about use of geospatial data in areas subject to territorial disputes,” ENB writes. The proposal by Ukraine to extend the resolution on assessing the impacts of “the Russian Federation’s aggression on Ukraine’s wetlands” prompted familiar fault lines, with the Russian Federation withdrawing from the Convention before the draft resolution was considered as “it could no longer participate in a politicized instrument.”

On the penultimate day of the meeting, the US delivered a list of “red lines,” objecting to references to: climate change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; gender identity; the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs; and requests for financing in excess of a 0% nominal growth budget. “However, he said the US would not block consensus,” according to ENB.

Discussion on common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) also generated heated debates. Many countries from the Global South saw it as an expression of equity in international environmental law, while several Global North countries argued that CBDR is specific to climate governance. The ENB summary notes that “this may be an increasing political issue for the Convention.”

COP15 convened from 24-31 July 2025, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. [ENB Coverage of COP15 of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands]