New Delhi, July 17 -- Summary Africa's wetlands are among the most degraded globally, with millions relying on them for essential resources.

The 2025 Global Wetland Outlook highlights urbanization and industrial development as key drivers of this decline.

Urgent investment in conservation and restoration is needed to reverse the trend and unlock socio-economic benefits for rural communities.

Africa is among the places where degradation of wetlands has been noted in recent years despite millions of people on the continent depending on the ecosystems for food, water, and cushioning them from natural disasters, and effects of climate change.

While there is widespread deterioration of "wetland ecological character" in most regions and glo...