Zimbabwe to host COP15 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Victoria Falls in 2025

CABINENT has endorsed the hosting of the 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties (Cop15) to the Ramsar Convention on wetlands in Victoria Falls next year.

In a Press statement, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu said Zimbabwe won the bid based on the tremendous work the country has done on wetlands conservation.

The event will be held between 23 and 31 July next year.

“It is my pleasure to inform you that Zimbabwe will be hosting the COP 15 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands at Elephant Hills, Victoria Falls from 23-31 July 2025. Cabinet in turn endorsed the hosting of COP 15 in 2025,” said Minister Ndlovu.

He said the hosting of COP15 will put Zimbabwe in the spotlight and its management of wetlands will be the subject of both local and international dialogue.

Key focus discussions will include sustainable and wise use of wetlands, protection of freshwater sources, and biodiversity protection.

As part of preparations for COP 15, a delegation of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands visited Zimbabwe from 22 to 25 March 2023 to have initial discussions with Zimbabwe on the modalities of hosting COP15 in 2025.

The Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife supported by members of the inter-ministerial committee and the Ramsar Secretariat visited Victoria Falls from 23 to 24 March 2023.

The purpose of the visit was for the Secretariat to appreciate the proposed venue, that is Elephant Hills Hotel, and other facilities in the town that would be needed to support the successful hosting of COP 15.

A Zimbabwean delegation also attended Standing Committee 62 (SC62) Meeting of Ramsar Convention from 4 to 8 September 2023 and made a presentation on preparations made to host COP 15 and the presentation was well received by the Standing Committee.

Minister Ndlovu reminded various Government departments that it is critical to note that hosting COP 15 requires the participation of different line Ministries, institutions, and players with respective key roles during COP 15.

“As such, an inter-ministerial committee has been set up to coordinate the hosting of the event. The inter-ministerial committee has sub-committees tasked with different roles as follows; health and environment, entertainment, tours and excursions, protocol and security, communication and information, and finance.

“To ensure smooth preparations for COP 15, planning meetings with Ramsar Secretariat are being done on a monthly basis and Zimbabwe is expecting the second visit of the Ramsar Secretariat in April 2024. This far, we have secured the venue for the conference, identified excursion sites, drafted the COP 15 logo and today, we are signing the Host Agreement. The above are some of the tangibles we have already achieved. Let me also assure you that we are on track in terms of preparations,” said Minister Ndlovu.

The Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is in Zimbabwe to officially sign the Host Agreement between the Secretariat and the Government of Zimbabwe on hosting COP15.

The Secretary General visited three Ramsar sites namely Lake Chivero, Cleverland Dam and Monovale Vlei to appreciate use of wetlands.

Minister Ndlovu appealed to media to complement Government efforts and spread information on the importance of wetland conservation as Zimbabwe prepares to host COP 15 in 2025.

Over the last few years, Zimbabwe elevated the conservation of wetlands to a higher level.

The Government has mapped all wetlands in the country and now has the National Wetlands Policy and the attendant Wetlands Management Guidelines.

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).

These are the Victoria Falls, Driefontein Grasslands, Middle Zambezi/Mana Pools, Lake Chivero, Monavale Vlei, Chinhoyi Caves and Cleveland Dam.

Minister Ndlovu said the Ministry is facilitating designation of more wetlands as Ramsar sites.