{"id":59217,"date":"2025-09-16T11:34:43","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T15:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thenatureofcities.com\/TNOC\/?p=59217"},"modified":"2025-09-17T21:05:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T01:05:20","slug":"interested-in-wetlands-cities-this-short-piece-about-cop15-is-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thenatureofcities.com\/TNOC\/2025\/09\/16\/interested-in-wetlands-cities-this-short-piece-about-cop15-is-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Interested in Wetlands & Cities? This short piece about COP15 is for you"},"content":{"rendered":"

City Leaders Featured Once Again by the Convention on Wetlands<\/strong><\/p>\n

This content-rich session showcased the growing momentum behind local leadership in wetland conservation.<\/blockquote><\/figure>\n

While Contracting Parties are the main actors at COP, the Convention on Wetlands is increasingly highlighting the crucial role of subnational governments in achieving global environmental goals. What many may not know is that, since 2015, the Convention has established a dedicated framework to recognize the efforts of cities and local authorities in protecting and restoring wetlands in and around urban areas<\/strong>\u2014 Wetland City Accreditation scheme<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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City Forum at COP15. July 24th. The Mayor of Valdivia (Chile) received the Wetland City certificate alongside representatives from 30 other newly accredited Wetland Cities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the restoration of the Minjiang River Estuary Wetlands in Fuzhou, which brought back the endangered black-faced spoonbill (People\u2019s Republic of China); to Kigali, where authorities are relocating businesses, rehabilitating degraded areas (Rwanda), and establishing nature reserves; to the 21-year citizen mobilization to defend urban wetlands and, more specifically, the black-necked swans in Valdivia (Chile)\u2014cities and local authorities are doing the hands-on work to bring biodiversity back to urban areas. These are not good intentions on paper, these reflect cities\u2019 commitment in policy, investment, and civic engagement to protect urban wetlands.<\/p>\n

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Fuzhou Jinshan Park (\u798f\u5dde\u91d1\u5c71\u516c\u56ed). Credits: People\u2019s Municipal Government of Fuzhou, PRC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today, 74 cities around the world have been accredited as Wetland Cities. During the opening remarks of the side event \u201cThriving Wetlands, Thriving Cities: Bold Leadership and Decisive Action\u201d<\/em> at COP15 on July 25th, Secretary General Dr. Musonda Mumba highlighted the transformative power of restoration when driven by arts and culture, referencing the example of Arles, France. \u201cThe Wetland City Accreditation is one of the crown jewels of the Convention,\u201d she stated, encouraging participants to explore synergies across climate and biodiversity initiatives aimed at urban areas.<\/p>\n

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Map of Accredited Wetland Cities<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inside COP15: A Look at Urban Content<\/strong><\/p>\n

The City Forum<\/strong><\/p>\n

A two-day event, organized by the Wetland City Network<\/a>, brought together newly accredited cities as well as those renewing their Wetland City Accreditation. During the forum, cities received their awards and shared the concrete actions and governance strategies they are implementing to restore wetlands, canals, streams, and lakes. This content-rich session showcased the growing momentum behind local leadership in wetland conservation.<\/p>\n

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City Forum at COP15. The city of Kasane-Kanzugula received the Wetland City certificate alongside representatives from 30 other newly accredited Wetland Cities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Side Events<\/strong><\/p>\n