Why?

River deltas which are home to over half a billion people worldwide, are undergoing rapid and disruptive changes. Climate change-induced stressors such as sea-level rise, acidification, and flooding amplify the impact of anthropogenic activities including urbanization, extractive industries leading to oil and gas pollution and sand loss as well as plastics in the environment which together pose severe threats to both human populations and biodiversity. All these threats are exacerbated by the impacts of global climate change.Notable examples, like the Chao Phraya delta Thailand, Mekong Delta, the Nigeria Niger River Delta, Indus River Delta, Nile River Deltas, Cubango-Okavango River Delta, and the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta, illustrate the immense impact of these threats on delta communities and ecosystems. The potential consequences, including food shortages, forced migration, and pollution tipping points, necessitate immediate and effective governance to ensure sustainable development and water and food resources for delta nations.

Chronic and emerging water-related challenges, especially in developing nations, require immediate attention. Flooding, droughts, and climate-induced events impose cascading impacts on regional agriculture and aquaculture production affecting global food supply, infrastructure, and societal well-being. The summit advocates the need for increased indigenous and local community participation in global discussions and policy development, aligning with the UN’s bottom-up approach to climate change governance.

What?

The First UNCCRD Delta Summit 2025 aims to bring together stakeholders from a wide range of sectors, including governments, academia, private enterprises, civil society, and the United Nations. The event seeks to develop actionable steps, programs, and policies to address the challenges faced by global deltas. A focal point of discussion is the emerging United Nations Convention on Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD) unveiled at COP28 in Dubai. UNCCRD is designed to actively involve indigenous peoples and local communities in the governance and decision-making processes needed for better delta futures, in particular human and ecosystem health, biodiversity, and livelihood security.

How?

The summit will employ plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and networking events to facilitate knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the development of innovative solutions. It will focus on three main areas: ocean-facing river deltas affected by sea-level rise, pollution (particularly plastic and oil and gas) and multiple stressors contributing to biodiversity decline. Key topics will include climate change, deforestation, aquaculture, policy deficit, transboundary collaboration, pollution, human rights, citizen participation.

So What?

The outcomes of the summit are expected to contribute significantly to global efforts in conserving river deltas under the umbrella of the new UNCCRD. Key objectives include raising awareness, promoting environmental values, and garnering additional stakeholder input for the operationalization of UNCCRD. The summit aims to secure a United Nations declaration of a Day for Global Deltas, and foster citizen participation in the governance of these critical ecosystems. Furthermore, the summit aims to deliver a draft White Paper as a consultation document for policy proposals. The event’s success will be evidenced by increased collaboration, accelerated pace of UNCCRD operationalization, and a UN declaration for a day dedicated to the protection of deltas.

Objectives

The summit aims to promote environmental protection, enhance indigenous participation, support gender inclusivity, foster global collaboration, and contribute to the sustainable governance of river deltas. The specific objectives of the summit are:

• Raise awareness of delta related issues globally.
• Facilitate equitable dialogue between all stakeholders – including community representatives, youth, academia, government and non-government organisations.
• Coordinate stakeholders’ inputs to the emerging United Nations Convention for Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD) through a co-created draft White Paper for delivery to the UN later in 2025.

Expected Summit Outcomes

• Enhanced Global Recognition and Advocacy: Increased global discourse on delta issues, challenges and solutions, fostering international attention and collaboration on delta conservation and sustainable governance.
• Policy Advancement through the White Paper: Publication of a White Paper summarizing actionable policy recommendations, best practices, and collaborative frameworks for the sustainable management of river deltas, co-developed by summit participants.
• Operationalization of UNCCRD Commitments: Concrete steps initiated for the 2024-25 operationalization of the United Nations Convention for Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD), including stakeholder commitments and governance frameworks.
• Strengthened Participation of Indigenous and Local Communities: Increased engagement and inclusion of indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making processes and delta governance initiatives, supported by summit-developed strategies for capacity-building and gender inclusivity.
• Establishment of Post-Summit Collaboration Mechanisms: Formation of working groups, task forces, and international consortia to oversee the implementation of summit recommendations, backed by partnership agreements and funding commitments from governments, NGOs, and private stakeholders.