Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Dr Evelyn Ndlovu is representing Zimbabwe, where she is leading a high-level delegation at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), currently underway in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Held under the global theme, “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope,” COP17 brings together delegates from 197 Parties to deliberate on the interconnected challenges of land degradation, desertification and climate-induced drought.
Zimbabwe has assembled a broad delegation comprising representatives from Government ministries, State-owned enterprises, members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife and civil society organisations, reflecting a whole-of-nation approach to environmental governance.
Minister Ndlovu’s programme places Zimbabwe prominently within high-level discussions on innovative financing, drought resilience and land restoration.
On Monday, August 24, she is scheduled to participate in the High-Level Segment and Ministerial Dialogue on Innovative Finance Mechanisms for Healthy Land and Drought Resilience. She will also participate in a high-level side event focusing on restoring African landscapes and scaling up the Great Green Wall through continental integration and the African Union Great Green Wall Initiative Strategy 2024–2034.
Minister Ndlovu will also participate in the Ministerial Dialogue on Accelerating Drought Resilience, where she is expected to outline Zimbabwe’s proactive national drought management policies and articulate the country’s resource needs.
She will also deliver a pledge at the official launch of the Drought Resilience Investment Facility, an initiative focused on accelerating finance for drought resilience, water security and land restoration.
Minister Ndlovu’s COP17 programme extends beyond UNCCD discussions, reflecting Zimbabwe’s efforts to strengthen synergies among the major environmental conventions.
She is scheduled for a bilateral meeting with UNFCCC Executive Secretary Mr Simon Stiell to discuss synergies between the Rio Conventions, Zimbabwe’s national climate priorities, implementation of its Nationally Determined Contributions and preparations towards COP31.
President Mnangagwa is the President of Ramsar COP15; hence, Minister Ndlovu is also expected to speak at a high-level event entitled “From Victoria Falls to Ulaanbaatar: Wetlands as the Heart of Integrated Land and Water Resilience”, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Her intervention will focus on linking wetland protection with UNCCD land and water resilience efforts and leveraging the Victoria Falls legacy to attract international financing for wetlands.
She will further participate in the High-Level Ministerial Segment Event on Land Restoration for Water Resilience, where she is expected to share Zimbabwe’s experiences, key messages and recommendations.
The Zimbabwean delegation will maintain a strong focus on communities whose livelihoods depend directly on healthy land, water and natural resources.
On August 26, Minister Ndlovu is scheduled to participate in the Ministerial Dialogue on the Restoration of Rangelands and the Well-being of Pastoralist Communities. The programme also provides for a bilateral exchange with the FAO Deputy Director-General, alongside participation by senior Zimbabwean officials from environment, wildlife, forestry, agriculture and finance.
Gender-responsive approaches to environmental management will also receive attention, with Minister Ndlovu scheduled to participate in the Gender Caucus, supported by officials from EMA, Parks and the Forestry Commission.
A major highlight of Zimbabwe’s participation will come on August 26 during Food Systems and Soil Health Day, when Minister Ndlovu is scheduled to address the Africa Group during the handover/takeover ceremony.
Her participation will provide Zimbabwe with an important platform to articulate African priorities on land degradation, drought resilience, food systems and sustainable land management while strengthening continental solidarity in global environmental negotiations.
The Minister is also scheduled to receive a courtesy call from the Middle East Green Initiative, further expanding opportunities for international cooperation and partnerships in environmental sustainability and land restoration.
Minister Ndlovu’s leadership at COP17 comes at a critical time when countries are intensifying efforts to address drought, land degradation, desertification and the growing impacts of climate change.
Minister Ndlovu said Zimbabwe’s participation reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international cooperation on land restoration, drought resilience, water security and sustainable management of natural resources.
“The participation of such a broad-based delegation underscores Zimbabwe’s determination to approach land degradation, drought and climate resilience through a coordinated, whole-of-government approach. For Zimbabwe, the conference provides an opportunity not only to share national experiences and policies but also to mobilise international partnerships, financing, technology and knowledge to support communities facing environmental and climate-related challenges.
“Zimbabwe is positioning itself as an active contributor to the global environmental agenda while championing Africa’s priorities and advocating for practical solutions that connect land restoration, water security, climate resilience, biodiversity protection and sustainable livelihoods. As the COP17 deliberations continue in Ulaanbaatar, Zimbabwe’s message is clear: land restoration and drought resilience require collective action, innovative financing and strong partnerships that put communities and sustainable development at the centre,” said Minister Ndlovu.
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