Zimbabwe is set to host the Conference of Parties (COP-15) in 2025 and the relevant government bodies responsible are already in the process of making the necessary preparations in consultation with various stakeholders to host the prestigious conference,Mangaliso Ndhlovu,Minister of Environment,Climate and Wildlife told Journalists at a recent press conference in Harare.
Minister Ndhlovu made the remarks on 30 January,2024 in his World Wetlands Day press statement as the counytry joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Wetlands Day.
The World Wetlands Day is commemorated to mark the signing of the Treaty on the Conservation of Wetlands, which occured on the second of February,1971 in Ramsar,Iran.
The treaty became popularly known as the Ramsar Convention and its aim is to raise public awareness on conservation,proper utilsation and managementof wetlands and their resources.
According to Minister Ndhlovu, the Ramsar Convention, which is the only international treaty focused on the sustainable management of wetlands,provides a platform of 172 contracting parties working together for wetlands conservation and wise use and to develop the best available data,advce and policy receommendations to relaise the benfits of fully functional wetlands for nature and society.
He added that Zimbabwe ratified the convention on 11 February,2012 and has since designated seven wetlands as wetlands of international importance,known as Ramsar sites.
The sites include the Victoria Falls,Driefontein Grasslands,Middle Zambezi/Mana pools,lke Chivero,Monavale Vlei,Chinhoyi Caves and Cleveland Dam.
Ndhlovu said that the country is hoping to designate more wetlands as Ramsar sites.
Minister Ndhlovu said that Zimbabwe is preparing to host COP-15 in 2025 hence the World Wetlands Day 2024 remains the window to showcase best case scenarios in wetland management.
''As such this year's commemoration will serve as the timely platform to tell the world that Zimbabwe is on the right track towards the sustainable management of wetlands,all in readiness for the grand hosting of COP-15,''Ndhlovu said.
He also said that government was expecting to host the Ramsar Secretariat on 4 March,2024 to sign the COP-15 hosting agreement.
The United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) was endorsed in Montreal, Canada on 19 December 2022 with a landmark agreement to guide global action on nature through to 2030. Representatives from 188 governments gathered in Montreal the important summit.
Chaired by China and hosted by Canada, COP 15 resulted in the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) on the last day of negotiations.
The framework aims to address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems and protect indigenous rights.
The plan also includes concrete measures to halt and reverse nature loss, including putting 30% of the planet and 30% of degraded ecosystems under protection by 2030.
It also contains proposals to increase finance to developing countries, a major sticking point during talks.
In Zimbabwe, wetlands cover approximately 136 595.8 square kilometres, which is 34.96% of the total area of the country, according to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
EMA says that of the available wetlands in the country, 21% are severely degraded, 18% are stable and pristine and 61% moderately degraded.
The agency adds that as such, conservation and wise use of wetlands therefore becomes vital for human wellbeing.
According to EMA,the government through the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) developed the National Wetlands Policy, Masterplan and Guidelines to inform decision making and development planning by the Government, private sector, development partners, traditional leaders, communities and individuals. The Ministry also gazetted certain wetlands as “Ecologically sensitive ecosystems” further buttressing the policy framework on the wise use of wetlands.
EMA says that it has supported 92 wetland restoration projects since its inception, to date, enhancing community livelihoods and resilience.
The theme for 2024 is “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing”. EMA says that the theme clearly spotlights how interconnected wetlands and human life are with people drawing sustenance, inspiration and resilience from these productive ecosystems.
