Dr. Musonda Mumba, the Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands, is an influential figure in the realm of environmental conservation, bringing over 25 years of expertise to her role. Born in Zambia, Dr. Mumba’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to environmental management and sustainable development, spanning work with prominent international organizations and leading impactful global initiatives.
Dr. Mumba’s extensive career includes her previous tenure at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where she served as the Senior Advisor on the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in UNDP’s strategic engagement in this ambitious initiative aimed at restoring the world’s ecosystems. Additionally, as Director of the Rome Centre for Sustainable Development, she focused on advancing climate action and nature conservation, emphasizing solutions that protect biodiversity and foster sustainable development.
Her deep environmental insight was also shaped by her 12-year tenure at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi. Among various roles, she was appointed Head of the UNEP Terrestrial Ecosystems Programme and later became Chief of the Terrestrial Ecosystems Unit. Her leadership steered projects that integrated ecosystem-based adaptation, such as the EbA Mountain Programme, which brought together countries like Peru, Nepal, and Uganda to safeguard mountainous ecosystems.
Before joining UNEP, Dr. Mumba worked with the Zambian Government, WWF, and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, where she deepened her expertise in wetland conservation—an area that remains close to her heart as she leads the Convention on Wetlands today.
Dr. Mumba’s work extends beyond institutional walls; she is also the founder of the Network of African Women Environmentalists (NAWE), empowering women across the continent to contribute to environmental conservation efforts. Recognized globally for her contributions, she was named among the 100 most influential African women and was celebrated by the Global Landscape Forum as one of 16 women making significant strides in planetary restoration.
Dr. Mumba’s academic achievements, including a PhD in Wetland Hydrology and Conservation from University College London, underpin her practical efforts with a rigorous scientific foundation. As an Honorary Senior Research Associate at UCL and a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perry World House, she continues to bridge academic research with applied conservation work.
In her current role with the Convention on Wetlands, Dr. Mumba is at the forefront of international efforts to protect and restore wetlands, vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and enhance water quality. Her leadership is instrumental as the Convention mobilizes a global movement to conserve wetlands and elevate the importance of these ecosystems on the world stage.
