Freshwater biodiversity and health: An analysis of SDG 6 and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Publisher abstract

Freshwater biodiversity is vital to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 and to human health and wellbeing. Unrealized opportunities exist to strengthen awareness of freshwater biodiversity and health interlinkages and enhance their uptake into national implementation under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as well as under public health and water, sanitation, and hygiene systems. This article aims to identify and mobilize integrated thinking and action on freshwater biodiversity and health during the Ramsar triennium 2025–2028. The article analyzes the 15th meeting of the contracted parties to the wetlands Convention in July 2025 (COP15) and its outcomes in the context of the many global water governance meetings taking place in 2026 and 2027. It considers the role of the Ramsar Convention in achieving planetary health through a) COP15 decisions, b) stronger socioecological framing to wetland character, and c) improved coordination with the health sector in national reporting and proceedings of wetland governance. An analysis of national reports tracking the 2008 Changwon Declaration on Human Health and Wellbeing as well as reports on implementation in the 2021–2024 triennium reveal several areas for de-siloing and sharpening health sector engagement in the Ramsar Convention. The article, arguing that these actions also support achievement of SDG 6, proposes a new planetary health vision of SDG 6 for the post-2030 development agenda. In conclusion, a range of basic coordination actions that could be taken to support and translate COP15 resolutions across the public health and WASH sectors during the 2025–2028 triennium are outlined.