World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is celebrated every 2 February to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention in 1971, the first global treaty dedicated to the conservation and wise use of these strategic ecosystems. Known as the ‘kidneys of the planet,’ wetlands—which include marshes, rivers, mangroves, and peat bogs—play an irreplaceable role in purifying water, recharging aquifers, and protecting against flooding. This event, supported by the United Nations, seeks to raise awareness about the critical disappearance of these areas, which are being lost at a rate three times faster than forests, putting biodiversity and water security at risk for billions of people around the world.

In the 2026 edition, the official theme is ‘Wetlands and traditional knowledge: celebrating cultural heritage.’ After decades of an exclusively technical approach, this year’s campaign focuses on the ancestral wisdom and practices of local and indigenous communities that have lived in harmony with these ecosystems for centuries. The goal for 2026 is to integrate this traditional knowledge with modern science to design more effective restoration strategies. By honouring this cultural heritage, World Wetlands Day emphasises that protecting these ‘arteries of the landscape’ is not only an environmental necessity, but also a commitment to our own identity and to the livelihoods of one-eighth of the world’s population who depend directly on them.

For more information, visit the official website.