Hosting Ramsar COP15 is a landmark in wetland conservation leadership

By Innocent Mujeri and Nathan Muchemwa in Victoria Falls 

In a world increasingly defined by environmental challenges, Zimbabwe has taken a significant step forward in cementing its role as a responsible and visionary steward of natural resources.

From 23 to 31 July 2025, the country proudly hosts the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands at the majestic Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is not only a historic first for Zimbabwe, but a powerful symbol of the nation’s growing leadership in global environmental governance.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, established in 1971 in Iran, is the only international treaty focused specifically on the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

COP15, bringing together delegates from over 170 contracting parties, scientists, policymakers, NGOs, and development partners, is a platform for nations to deliberate on best practices, exchange ideas, and adopt frameworks for wetland preservation.

The selection of Victoria Falls as the host site could not be more appropriate.

Known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (The Smoke That Thunders), Victoria Falls embodies the very essence of wetlands: biodiversity, natural beauty, tourism potential, and ecosystem services that sustain both people and wildlife.

The surrounding Zambezi River floodplains and wetlands support one of Africa’s richest biodiversity corridors, offering an ideal backdrop for discussions on protecting such ecosystems worldwide.

Hosting COP15 here allows Zimbabwe to highlight its natural endowments, not merely as touristic spectacles, but as vital ecosystems deserving of deliberate conservation efforts.

Zimbabwe’s hosting of COP15 is a bold testament to the country’s renewed commitment to sustainable environmental management.

In recent years, the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, has made tangible strides in protecting wetlands that had long been degraded by urban expansion, agriculture, and climate change.

Initiatives such as the Wetlands Management Policy, the establishment of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and the designation of Ramsar sites such as Driefontein Grasslands and Lake Chivero demonstrate Zimbabwe’s seriousness in implementing the Ramsar Convention at the national level.

By bringing COP15 to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe sends a message to the world: we are not only participants in global environmental agreements, we are leaders.

The last Ramsar COP (COP14) was held in November 2022 in a hybrid format, with sessions in Wuhan, China, and Geneva, Switzerland.

That meeting produced the Wuhan Declaration, reaffirming the urgent need to protect wetlands amidst global biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution.

It also adopted the Global Strategic Framework for Wetland Conservation 2025–2030, which now provides the guiding principles for COP15 deliberations.

Zimbabwe has taken this momentum seriously. In her official statement during the opening ceremony, Hon. Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, underscored the theme: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.”

She called for unity, investment, and political will in addressing wetland loss globally — with Africa, and Zimbabwe in particular, poised to offer solutions rooted in indigenous knowledge and innovation.

Beyond the conference rooms and plenary sessions, the hosting of COP15 brings significant socio-economic benefits.

The influx of international delegates has already stimulated the hospitality industry, with hotels in Victoria Falls operating at near full capacity.

Tour operators, small businesses, and community projects around the area are enjoying a rare boost in visibility and income.

This aligns with Zimbabwe’s long-term strategy to leverage its environmental assets for economic development.

Wetlands are not just about frogs and birds — they are essential to food security, water purification, climate regulation, and ecotourism. Protecting them is not only a conservation imperative, but a developmental one.

One of the lesser-celebrated but most impactful aspects of COP15 has been the inclusion of youth voices and local innovators.

Young Zimbabwean environmentalists and university students have participated in side events and exhibitions, showcasing mobile apps for wetland monitoring, community-based mapping tools, and traditional practices for sustainable wetland use.

By nurturing this new generation of environmental stewards, Zimbabwe is investing not only in the future of its wetlands but in the long-term sustainability of its development model.

This is a departure from decades where environmental matters were relegated to the periphery of national discourse.

Zimbabwe’s moment as COP15 host is also a defining one for Africa. While wetlands cover roughly 10% of the continent, their degradation has accelerated due to population pressures, weak policy enforcement, and the effects of climate change.

Zimbabwe’s proactive hosting role sets a standard for other African nations to follow.

Indeed, the collaborative spirit exhibited at COP15 — from joint statements with SADC counterparts to technical working groups on transboundary wetlands — reflects an emerging consensus that African solutions must be part of the global wetland conservation narrative.

Hosting COP15 is not the end — it is a powerful beginning. Zimbabwe has gained global attention and acclaim, but this must now translate into real change on the ground.

Wetlands in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo and other urban centres must be restored and protected from illegal settlements and pollution.

Communities must be empowered through education, incentives, and infrastructure to play a role in wetland management. And most importantly, political leaders must remain accountable to the commitments made on this global stage.

Zimbabwe has proven that it can lead, inspire, and shape a positive environmental future — not just for itself, but for the world. The ripple effects of COP15 will be felt for years to come. And for a country that has faced its share of challenges, this is a victory worth celebrating.