RAMSAR secretary general visits Brussels: wetlands in the spotlight
In the framework of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, INBO, together with ANB and the Environment Department, facilitated the visit to Brussels of the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Dr. Musonda Mumba.
This visit (June 18-19) included a networking event together with international partner organizations such as IUCN, Wetlands International, WWF and The Nature Conservancy. These organizations play a crucial role in implementing the objectives of the convention: providing scientific expertise and capacity at local, national and international levels. The event also provided an excellent opportunity to highlight Flanders' efforts within the framework of the Blue Deal, highlight our scientific expertise, and the role INBO plays as a national focal point of the convention, and in monitoring and reporting.
In addition, INBO also facilitated an exchange between representatives of the relevant ministries of EU countries and Dr. Mumba, to discuss the importance of cooperation and knowledge sharing in wetland management.
The visit followed the 63rd meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee (June 3-7, Switzerland), where INBO, ANB and the Service Public de Wallonie also joined forces to ensure the follow-up of the Convention, and prepare for the 15th Conference of the Parties to be held in July 2025.