Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere in DUSHANBE, Tajikistan
VICTORIA Falls will next month host the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15), an international conservation treaty.
Ramsar, the inter-governmental treaty for wetland conservation and sustainable use, has nearly 90 percent of United Nations member states as contracting parties and will next month bring them to Zimbabwe from July 23 to July 31.
Secretary-General Dr Musonda Mumba attended the high-level international conference on glaciers preservation in Tajikistan where she paid a courtesy call on Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga.
The COP15 Ramsar conference is pivotal for global climate discussions, bringing together leaders, policymakers and environmental advocates to strategise on combating climate change, and it attracts a global audience, providing Zimbabwe with a platform to showcase its tourism – a critical pillar of the economy.
Zimbabwe’s role in hosting this conference is both an honour and an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship and international collaboration.
Dr Mumba noted Zimbabwe’s commendable track record, referencing the recent success of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area conference as a testament to the country’s organisational prowess.
As preparations for the COP15 conference intensify, the spotlight is firmly on Victoria Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders and Dr Mumba is upbeat that Zimbabwe will once again make the continent proud.
“I thanked Zimbabwe for all the work that it is doing in making sure that we prepare for COP15 which is happening in Victoria Falls in just a few weeks in July on the 23rd to the 31st, the world is coming to Zimbabwe,” said Dr Mumba.
“The Vice President invited the world to come to this COP, this COP is where the world will be meeting to discuss why we should protect wetlands everywhere in the world.
“Zimbabwe is currently the chair of SADC, they have already hosted big presidential summits, brought everybody together, and really have the capability and capacity to host big groups, this is why I am excited.
“I had the opportunity to visit Zimbabwe for the World Wetlands Day this February and I was blown away.
“It is really impressive, all the groundwork that is being put in, all the plans that have been put in and the world will be blown away.
“I just want to say that I am deeply honoured to have seen from the beginning how you prepare for a COP and that the Government of Zimbabwe offered to host the COP15 is also a demonstration of their capabilities, and it’s an African COP and everybody is excited to come to Zimbabwe.
“Recently about a week ago, KAZA was hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe bringing the heads of states together to discuss the power of transboundary water management, superbly organised and really a demonstration of what is to come in the next few week when the world meets finally on the edge of Zambezi,” said Dr Mumba.
She told VP Chiwenga that a couple of countries have confirmed to the secretariat that they will be represented at Head of State level.
Endorsements from international figures like Dr Mumba are crucial for Zimbabwe, as they enhance the country’s reputation and attract potential investments in environmental conservation and sustainable development initiatives.
In the meeting, VP Chiwenga said Zimbabwe is confident that the meeting will culminate in the adoption of the Victoria Falls Declaration and that Zimbabwe looks forward to assuming the Presidency of the COP for the next three years. He assured Ramsar that their proposal for a closed Presidential segment for the Heads of State and Government of SADC Member States is being considered.
The Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Evelyn Ndlovu, who attended the meeting between the Vice President Chiwenga and Dr Mumba, said the VP assured of a successful meeting.
She said the VP gave a compelling pitch to Ramsar and that both parties were happy for the upcoming conference assuring that it is all systems go.
“Quite a number of countries have shown interest to come to Zimbabwe and participate, many countries,” said Minister Ndlovu.
