Countdown to COP15: Zimbabwe Gears Up for International Wetlands Conference

By Regina Pasipanodya

Zimbabwe is set to host the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) on the convention of wetlands which will be held in Victoria Falls this year between 23-25 July 2025.

During the cabinet briefing, the Acting Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Honourable Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu presented that Zimbabwe has made strides towards hosting COP15 which will run under the theme, “Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future”.

“Preparations for the Conference are at an advanced stage as suitable conference facilities have been identified with the COP15 website already operational, while the registration of foreign delegates is already underway,” said hon. Ndlovu.

This year Zimbabwe will host the Ramsar Convention after it has been recognised for its commitment towards wetlands conservation and protection of biodiversity.

Therefore, hosting COP15 will put Zimbabwe in the spotlight as this is the convention of 172 Contracting Parties that had adopted the international treaty in 1971 to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

Zimbabwe which has seven Ramsar designated wetlands that play a crucial role in biodiversity including Victoria Falls, Lake Chivero, and Driefontein Grasslands, Monavale Vlei, Chinhoyi Caves, Cleveland Dam, Mana Pools ratified the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on February 11, 2012.

After ratifying the Ramsar Convention, Zimbabwe has been making strides in wetlands conservation by implementing legislative frameworks that seek to protect wetlands from degradation such as the Environmental Management Act.

It has been revealed that this year’s convention’s key focus areas include sustainable and wise use of wetlands, protection of fresh water sources, and biodiversity protection.

The Conference will also showcase Zimbabwe’s tourist destinations, including the Victoria Falls, Zambezi National Park, and the Kasibo Wetland.