World Wetlands Day

 The World Wetlands Day 2026 poster blends multiple representations in an effort to capture the richness of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. It illustrates just how important traditional knowledge is to the world’s wetlands and to future generations who will need these essential ecosystems for human wellbeing and planetary health. The circle of outstretched hands embodies the interconnectedness of all people with wetlands and to one another. Each hand symbolizes our ability to exert influence and to act on behalf of wetlands , while the open palms convey life, hope and our collective future. Flowing through each individual, the wetlands signify traditional knowledge carefully preserved and passed down through generations. The poster reminds us that wetlands, culture and human wellbeing thrive together when nurtured by traditional knowledge, care and connection . Follow the conversations with the hashtags #WWD2026 | #CelebratingWetlands | #WetlandsandCulturalHeritage

  Covering more than 12.1 million square kilometers worldwide – about 6% of the Earth’s land surface – wetlands are needed for human survival. In these essential ecosystems, water is the primary factor controlling the environment and plant and animal life. Wetlands may be saltwater or freshwater, inland or coastal, natural or human-made, permanent or temporary, static or flowing. Freshwater wetlands include rivers, lakes, pools, flood plains, peatlands, marshes and swamps. Saltwater wetlands include estuaries, mudflats, saltwater marshes , mangroves, lagoons, coral reefs and shellfish reefs. Human-made wetlands include fishponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and saltpans. All contribute to the wellbeing of our planet and humankind. “WHEREVER LAND MEETS WATER, LIFE ABOUNDS. WETLANDS EXIST IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PLANET AND ARE THE ARTERIES AND VEINS OF THE LANDSCAPE.” – Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands.

Extremely productive ecosystems, wetlands provide critical services to people across the globe. Recognised as vital sources of freshwater and food, they’re abundant in biodiversity. They serve as critical habitats or breeding areas for many endangered and threatened species, and a wide range of endemic plants and animals depend on specific wetland environments to survive. These ecosystems safeguard humanity against extreme weather by reducing the intensity of waves, absorbing storm surges and buffering tsunamis. They’re also highly effective carbon sinks – as peatlands store about 30% of land-based carbon, twice the amount of all the world’s forests. Notably, wetlands contribute to job creation and employment, and embody cultural landscapes embedded in identity, art and spirituality. Yet, wetlands are constantly under threat from human-made factors – from pollution to unsustainable land use to poorly planned infrastructure to climate change . This year’s campaign raises awareness o...

First celebrated in 1997 and a United Nations International Day since 2022, World Wetlands Day honours the beauty and value of wetlands . On 2 February 1971, the Convention on Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran, along the shores of the Caspian Sea. It is the oldest of the modern global intergovernmental environmental agreements and remains the only one devoted to a specific ecosystem – wetlands. Today, the 172 countries in its membership, called Contracting Parties, are committed to the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Secretariat of the Convention organizes the World Wetlands Day campaign each year, with Contracting Parties taking part. The celebration includes people from all over the world, governments, national and international conservation and sustainability organizations, businesses, non-governmental organizations, media, and youth and other stakeholder groups.

 Every February 2nd , the World Wetlands Day campaign joins people everywhere in recognising the critical importance of our planet’s wetlands . These life-sustaining ecosystems bridge past and future and are essential to the continuity of life on Earth. World Wetlands Day 2026 explores the deep-rooted connections between wetlands and cultural practices, traditions and knowledge systems of communities across the world . This year’s theme is " Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage ." The global campaign spotlights the timeless role of traditional knowledge in sustaining wetland ecosystems and preserving cultural identity.

Wetlands are crucial for ensuring climate stability, water and food security, biodiversity and community resilience. Yet, wetlands are being lost to development faster than they’re being restored or protected. According to the  – Global Wetland Outlook 2025 “The 1,425 million hectares of remaining wetlands give an estimated  $7.98 trillion to $39.01 trillion in benefits to people every year."; People have coexisted with wetlands since prehistory, making use of their beneficial services while averting unintended consequences. Over time, a valuable depth of traditional knowledge has been deduced, shared and has subsequently evolved. The World Wetlands Day 2026 campaign recognises that traditional knowledge bridges wisdom from the past to present and future stewardship of these vital ecosystems. Three fundamental messages guide this year’s campaign communications. We invite you to adapt them for your particular area and to share them widely to encourage participation in Wo...