President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially launched the countdown to the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15), a major global environmental event set to take place in Victoria Falls from July 23 to 31 this year.
The announcement came during the belated World Wetlands Day commemorations held at Kasibo in Hwange District on Thursday. The upcoming COP15 will mark a significant milestone for Zimbabwe, which has been selected as the host country. This event is expected to draw global attention to the vital role wetlands play in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and water purification. Notable wetlands in Zimbabwe, including Victoria Falls, Lake Chivero, and Driefontein Grasslands, are already designated under the Ramsar Convention, which seeks to ensure the sustainable use and protection of wetlands worldwide.
In his address, read by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, President Mnangagwa emphasized the critical importance of COP15, calling on both national and international media to continually remind the world of the upcoming event. “I compel that this countdown be flighted and announced every day on all key national and international media platforms to ensure the whole world and the entire nation remains reminded of COP15 and the legacy we want to build on wetlands,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s leadership in wetland conservation, including its growing network of Ramsar sites, aligns with the goals of the Ramsar Convention. The conference will provide a platform for international collaboration on preserving these valuable ecosystems, which face growing threats from urbanization, agriculture, pollution, and climate change.
The President also highlighted the broader diplomatic and environmental significance of COP15. “The COP15 meeting is essential in building stronger diplomatic partnerships as contracting parties to the Convention on Wetlands and ensuring that the protection of wetlands remains a global priority for our common future,” he said. He extended an invitation to nations around the world to actively participate in the conference, positioning Zimbabwe as a proud advocate for wetland protection.
President Mnangagwa further acknowledged the ongoing challenges to wetlands posed by rapid development and climate change. He stressed that protecting wetlands for future generations is essential, urging nations to come together to safeguard these vital ecosystems. “The future of our wetlands is in our hands and so is our future. Therefore, let us protect wetlands for our common future,” he concluded.
With Victoria Falls as the conference venue—one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a Ramsar-listed site—Zimbabwe is set to showcase its dedication to environmental sustainability and its capacity to host impactful global events. The COP15 is expected to bring together policymakers, scientists, environmentalists, and international delegates to forge new strategies for wetland conservation in the face of unprecedented global challenges.
As Zimbabwe gears up for this landmark event, it stands poised to reinforce its role as a leader in environmental conservation, building stronger international cooperation and driving sustainable development across the globe
