Feb. 2 Marks World Wetlands Day 2023

February 2 marks World Wetlands Day 2023, which promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

The day aims to increase awareness and understanding of the vital part of humans and the globe in wetlands.

The theme of this year is "It’s Time for Wetlands Restoration,” which highlights the urgent need to prioritize wetland restoration.

According to the UN, about 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s, and we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests. Yet, wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, world economies, and more.

"We must raise national and global awareness about wetlands to reverse their rapid loss and encourage actions to conserve and restore them," the UN affirmed. 

"World Wetlands Day is the ideal time to increase people’s  understanding of these critically significant ecosystems."

Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary, Minamata Convention on Mercury said: "Wetlands are among the most important types of ecosystems. Their functions and services are essential for human lives and biodiversity."

She continued: "While some of the unique characteristics of wetlands make them Nature's champion for nutrient cycling, the same characteristics, sadly, also make wetlands hotspots for the accumulation of methylmercury - the organic and most toxic form of mercury that causes serious and irreversible neurological and physiological damage to humans and wildlife."

"This is why wetlands are of particular importance to the work of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. On this year's World Wetlands Day, I would like to renew the strong commitment of the Minamata Convention to end mercury pollution and to contribute to efforts to maintain and restore wetlands across the globe so that our future generations can enjoy and benefit from these natural wonders," she concluded her statement.

The first day of adoption of the Convention on Wetlands also commemorates the second day of February.

It's worth mentioning that the Convention was approved in 1971, in Ramsar, an Iranian town along the beaches of the Caspian sea.