The Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu on Monday officially signed the Agreement to Host the Ramsar Conservation of Parties (COP) 15 that is set to be held in Victoria Falls in July 2025.
The agreement was signed between the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Dr. Musonda Mumba and the Government of Zimbabwe. Addressing delegates during the signing ceremony, Minister Ndlovu commended how the country has raised the conservation of wetlands.
“Over the last few years, Zimbabwe elevated the conservation of wetlands to a higher level. We have mapped all wetlands in the country and now have the National Wetlands Policy and the attendant Wetlands Management Guidelines. This is a big feat for the country, region and the world at large.”
” The Ramsar Convention on wetlands is the only International Treaty focused on the sustainable management of wetlands and it provides a platform to 172 Contracting Parties working together for wetlands conservation and wise use. Zimbabwe ratified the Ramsar convention on wetlands on 11 February 2012 and has since designated seven wetlands as wetlands of international importance (Ramsar sites),” Ndlovu said.
The hosting of COP15 is set to put Zimbabwe on the spot light and its management of wetlands will be the subject of both local and international dialogue. It has been revealed that key focus discussions will include sustainable and wise use of wetlands, protection of fresh water sources and biodiversity protection.
During her visit to Zimbabwe, Dr Mumba visited three Ramsar sites namely, Lake Chivero, Cleverland Dam and Monovale Vlei. Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Hon. John Paradza, and Secretary for Environment, Climate and Wildlife Professor Prosper Matondi, were among the guests who attended the signing ceremony.
Zimbabwe will be hosting Ramsar COP 15 Convention on Wetlands at Elephant Hills, Victoria Falls from 23-31 July 2025 and 172 countries are expected to attend the event.
