2026 Asian Waterbird Census (AWC)
The AWC is an annual event and takes place once a year, during the second and third weeks of January. The census was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent, and has grown rapidly to cover 26 countries of South Asia, East Asia, South East Asia, Pacific, as well as Russia Far East. The Wetlands International coordinates the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC). The AWC runs parallel to other international census of waterbirds in Africa, Europe and Neotropics under the International Waterbird Census (IWC) umbrella.
January 3 to 18, 2026
World Wetlands Day 2026
World Wetlands Day is observed every year on February 2. It is celebrated to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet. This day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, (Ramsar Convention) in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. “ “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage” is this year’s theme for World Wetlands Day to call for actions and efforts to restore and revive our wetlands.
The Philippines currently have 7 RAMSAR sites
February 2, 2026
World Wildlife Day 2026
United Nations General Assembly Resolution16.1 designating 3 March as World Wildlife Day, in order to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora, and recognized the important role of CITES in ensuring that international trade does not threaten the survival of species.
The WWD2026 theme is “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”. This year’s celebration recognizes the significance of Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), particularly in developing countries, where 70-95 per cent of the population relies on traditional medicine for primary healthcare. These plants form the foundation of many healthcare systems and remain vital to modern pharmaceuticals, as numerous active drug compounds are derived directly or indirectly from natural sources, despite advancements in synthetic chemistry.
March 3, 2026
Month of the Ocean 2026
Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 57 signed by Former President Joseph Estrada in 1998, the month of May was declared as the Month of the Ocean (MOO). The issuance also designates the DENR and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the Department of Agriculture (DA) as the lead agencies in the annual celebration
With the theme “Sustaining Ocean Health, Sailing Resilient Nation“, this year’s event is envisioned not more than just a celebration, but as a rallying call to protect our oceans and embrace a brighter and bluer economy.
May 1-30, 2026
International Day for Biological Diversity (IDBD 2026)
The theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 is “Acting locally for global impact.”
The 2026 observance, celebrated annually on 22 May, emphasizes that success in halting and reversing biodiversity loss depends on local actions that collectively contribute to global outcomes (CBD). This theme highlights the importance of communities, organizations, and governments working together to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), ensuring that local initiatives align with national and global biodiversity targets
May 22, 2026
World Oceans Day 2026
World Oceans Day 2026 is celebrated on June 8 and encourages individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to rethink humanity’s relationship with the ocean, emphasizing sustainability and stewardship of marine ecosystems
This year’s theme “Reimagine: Beyond the World We Know, a New Relationship with Our Ocean,”” calls for moving beyond viewing the ocean merely as a resource to be exploited, urging a deeper understanding of its connection to human life, including the air we breathe, the food we consume, and the climate systems that sustain civilization.
June 8, 2026