Press Release

August 05, 2025
  • Nature & Parks

Outline of the Results of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

  1. The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the "Ramsar Convention") was held in Victoria Falls, Republic of Zimbabwe  from July 23 to 31, 2025.
  2. At this Meeting, the Secretariat reported the progress of the implementation of the Convention, and a total of 25 resolutions, including the review of the Fifth Strategic Plan, were adopted.
  3. During the Meeting, accreditation and designation certificates were awarded respectively to Nagoya City of Aichi Prefecture, which was accredited as a “Wetland City” under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme of the Ramsar Convention, and Fukushima Prefecture, Aizuwakamatsu City, Koriyama City, and Inawashiro Town, related municipalities of Lake Inawashiro, which was designated as a “Ramsar Site” in July 2025.

■　Outline of the results

(1) Date
July 23 – 31, 2025
(2) Venue
Victoria Falls, Republic of Zimbabwe
(3) Participants
172 Contracting Parties and observers to the Convention
From Japan, the government delegation consisted of the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), observers from relevant local governments and NGOs, etc. also participated.
(4) Theme
“Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future”
(5) Outline of the Meeting
A. At the Opening Ceremony, H.E. Mr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Republic of Zimbabwe (Presidency), delivered an address. In the high-level ministerial segment, participants exchanged views on strengthening policy and legal frameworks by mainstreaming wetlands conservation, collaborative approaches, and mobilizing resources.
B. Through deliberations at the Plenary Session and the Contact Group, a total of 25 resolutions, including formulation of the Fifth Strategic Plan of the Convention on Wetlands were adopted. Major resolutions were as follows:
a) The Fifth Strategic Plan of the Convention on Wetlands 2025-2034
- The Fifth Strategic Plan which is a base of implementing the convention for a decade from 2025 to 2034 was adopted.
- The vision of the Fifth Strategic Plan is “A world living in harmony with nature where wetlands are valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services supporting a healthy planet and delivering benefits for all people” and the following four goals were set reflecting and including the three pillars of the Convention.
Goal 1: Address and reverse wetland loss and degradation
Goal 2: Achieve the wise use of wetlands
Goal 3: Conserve and manage Wetlands of International Importance effectively
Goal 4: Enhance implementation of the Convention
b) Establishment of the Global Waterbird Estimates Partnership (GWEP) and delivery of the 2027 edition of Waterbird Population Estimates (WPE2027)
- Resolutions including the following were adopted:
・Establishment of the Global Waterbird Estimates Partnership (GWEP)
・In consultation with the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP), to deliver the 2027 edition of the WPE (WPE2027) with a focus on the regions, flyways and populations most requiring updates
 ・To invite the GWEP to report on the publication of WPE2027 to the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP16)
- Australia, UK, and Wetlands International (NGO) announced voluntary contribution to the establishment of GWEP and WPE2027.
c) Resolution on achieving the equitable governance and effective conservation of wetlands as protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)
- Resolution on inviting Contracting Parties to prioritize embedding Wetlands of International Importance, and other effectively managed wetlands, into national systems of protected areas, and into systems of OECMs, in support of Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), in accordance with national priorities and circumstances was adopted.
d) Other- Through deliberations, the “Amended Resolution on the Ramsar List” was decided to defer consideration.
C. It was announced that the next Conference of the Parties (COP16) will be held in Panama in 2028.
 

■ Accreditation Ceremony Under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme of the Ramsar Convention

On July 24 during the Meeting of COP15, an accreditation ceremony for the newly accredited cities under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme was held. From Japan, Nagoya City of Aich Prefecture was newly accredited. Representatives from Nagoya City participated in the ceremony and received the certificate from Dr. Musonda Mumba, the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention. Nagoya City made presentations on the conservation efforts and other relevant initiatives undertaken at their wetland at the side event on July 26.

■ Awarding the certificate on the designation of Lake Inawashiro as a new “Ramsar Site”

On July 26, an accreditation certificate was awarded from Dr. Musonda Mumba, the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, to Fukushima Prefecture, Aizuwakamatsu City, Koriyama City, and Inawashiro Town, related municipalities of Lake Inawashiro, which was designated as a “Ramsar Site” on July 15.

■　Other

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan held two side events under the themes “Achieving Nature Positive by ‘OECMs x Rice Paddies’ and “Wetlands and Cities” jointly with other organizations. In the side event of “OECMs x Rice Paddies”, Lake Inawashiro, which was newly designated as a “Ramsar Site” this year, was introduced and Japan and Korea made presentations on ecosystem services and potential as OECMs of rice paddies. In the side event of “Wetlands and Cities”, initiatives of Nagoya City, which was accredited as a “Ramsar City”, were introduced.
 
At its exhibition booth inside the venue, MOE Japan showcased and introduced Ramsar Sites in Japan.