Zim advances COP15 preparations

Gibson Mhaka
ZIMBABWE is making significant progress in its preparations to host the landmark 15th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP15), from 23 to 31 July 2025 at the Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls.
Having secured the winning bid, the nation has embarked on a series of significant milestones, signaling its commitment to a successful and impactful conference.
In his post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, stated that Cabinet received an update on the state of preparedness to host the 15th meeting of the Contracting Parties on the Convention on Wetlands (COP15).
The update was presented by Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu, who is the acting Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife.

“The nation is informed that subsequent to winning the bid to host the COP15, Zimbabwe has already made significant milestones towards hosting the 15th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP15) from 23 to 31 July 2025 at Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls.
“The Conference will run under the theme, “Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future”. Preparations for the Conference are at an advanced stage. Suitable conference facilities have been identified and the COP15 website is now operational, while the registration of foreign delegates is already underway,” said Minister Muswere.
Dr Muswere said the registration of locals will commence in early March 2025.
“The conference is expected to showcase Zimbabwe’s tourist destinations, including the Victoria Falls, Zambezi National Park and the Kasibo Wetland,” he said.
Minister Muswere also stated that Cabinet had received and approved the Policy Review Framework for Audit Committees in Central Government which was presented by Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube.
“In the interest of good governance, the following measures aimed at strengthening the operations of Audit Committees in Ministries have been introduced. Every Ministry shall henceforth constitute a board composed of the following members, a Minister responsible for the ministry as chairperson, deputy minister, five non-executive audit committee members, accounting officer and head of finance.
“The Ministry’s audit Committee shall report to the Ministry board. The Minister responsible for Finance shall be the appointing authority of Audit Committee members. The Secretary to Treasury will now be the nominating authority of Four Audit Committee members.
“The Office of the President and Cabinet shall appoint the Audit Committee for Treasury. The Accounting Officer of the Ministry shall nominate one technical member of the Audit Committee who is retired; and the legal department of the Ministry will be the Secretariat of the Audit Committee,” said Dr Muswere.