Zimbabwe has signed the COP-15 hosting agreement following a visit to the country on an appreciation mission by the Secretary-General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Dr Musonda Mumba from Geneva.
The Secretary-General was hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife during her familiarisation visit.
According to former Minister of Environment,Climate and Wildlife,Mangaliso Ndhlovu, 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.
He said that Zimbabwe ratified the Ramsar convention on wetlands on 11 February 2012 and has since designated seven wetlands as wetlands of international importance known as the Ramsar sites.
The sites include the Victoria Falls, Driefontein Grasslands, Middle Zambezi/Mana Pools, Lake Chivero, Monavale Vlei, Chinhoyi Caves and Cleveland Dam.
‘It remains our fervent desire as a Ministry to facilitate for the designation of more wetlands as Ramsar sites as we step up efforts to promote wise use of wetlands,’’Ndhlovu said.
He also said that over the last few years, Zimbabwe elevated the conservation of wetlands to a higher level.
This has included the mapping of all wetlands in the country and formulating a National Wetlands Policy and the attendant Wetlands Management Guidelines.
‘’This is a big feat for the country, region and the world at large,’’Ndhlovu said.
He added that given the tremendous work Zimbabwe has put on wetlands conservation, it is not surprising that the country won the bid to host Ramsar Convention on Wetlands COP-15 in 2025.
Zimbabwe will be hosting COP 15 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands at the Elephant Hills, Victoria Falls from 23 to31 July 2025.The country’s cabinet turn endorsed the hosting of COP 15 in 2025.
Ndhlovu said that the hosting of COP-15 will put Zimbabwe on the spot light 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 fresh water sources and biodiversity protection.
He also added that the hosting of COP 15 requires participation of different line Ministries, institutions and players with respective key roles during COP-15.
Ndhlovu said that an inter-ministerial committee has been set up to coordinate the hosting of the event.
According to him,the inter-ministerial committee has sub-committees tasked with different roles such as Health and Environment, Entertainment, Tours and Excursions, Protocol and Security, Communication and Information, Protocol and Security including Finance
As part of preparations towards COP 15, a delegation of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands visited Zimbabwe from 22 to 25 March 2023.
The purpose of the visit was for the Secretariat to have initial discussions with Zimbabwe on the modalities of hosting COP15 in 2025.
The Secretary for 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.
‘I would also like to inform the house that 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 so far to host COP-15. This presentation was well received by the Standing Committee,’’Ndhlovu said.
The ministry also reports that 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, that is Elephant Hills Hotel, identified excursion sites, drafted the COP-15 logo and now signed the Host Agreement. The above are some of a few tangibles we have already achieved. Let me also assure you that we are on track in terms of preparations,’’Ndhlovu said.
The Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands also visited three Ramsar sites namely, Lake Chivero, Cleverland Dam and Monovale Vlei to appreciate the country’s wise use of wetlands.
