The coordinator of the LIFE WILDisland project from Donau-Auen National Park was honored to join the Austrian ministerial delegation at the 15th Conference of the Parties (CoP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, held from July 23 to 31, 2025 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
This invitation reflects Austria’s recognition of the key role played by Donau-Auen National Park in launching the Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative (RRI) — a major achievement of the LIFE WILDisland project and a milestone for wetland conservation along the Danube.
CoP15 brought together 135 country delegations, 13 international organizations, and over 90 observer institutions. The conference focused on reversing the global decline of wetlands through stronger international cooperation, better conservation tools, and improved financing. Key outcomes relevant to our work included:
- The adoption of the Strategic Plan 2025–2034
- Specific committments to protect freshwater habitats, improve ecological connectivity and protect emblematic freshwater species;
- Provisions to update Ramsar site information (RIS) and strengthen monitoring, including of sites under pressure — such as Donau-Auen National Park, currently listed on the Ramsar “Montreux Record” (the so-called “Black List”).
The WILDisland team took part in several high-level meetings:
- A closed coordination session with the Ramsar Secretariat to discuss our joint cooperation and internal communication;
- The Steering Group meeting of the Danube WILDisland RRI; where we presented our current achievements, expenditure and future plans to our Member States present on site;
- A joint session with other Ramsar Regional Initiatives (RRIs) to present and promote our work within the Ramsar family of RRIs;
The Danube WILDisland RRI was also presented at the International Wetland Exhibition, showcasing transboundary cooperation, restoration efforts, and future project opportunities. On the final day of the conference, the Initiative received its official certificate of recognition for the period 2025–2028 — making it eligible for core funding from the Ramsar Secretariat.
As one of the youngest officially recognized Ramsar Regional Initiatives worldwide, the Danube WILDisland RRI is a model for international cooperation. Formally hosted by ICPDR and coordinated by DANUBEPARKS, a network of 20 protected areas in 9 Danube countries, the Initiative is supported by 10 national governments and financially backed by the Core budget of the Convention on Wetlands and Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV).
The RRI paves the way for cross-sector partnerships, coordinated restoration of river islands and floodplains, and a stronger, shared commitment to safeguarding the Danube as a thriving natural corridor.
Participation in CoP15 brought the Danube’s restoration success stories to the global spotlight — reinforcing our joint dedication to protecting wetlands of international importance along the Danube and beyond!
