By Dickson Bandera
In 2025, Zimbabwe has a unique opportunity to further its commitment to wetlands conservation, with the country set to host the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands from July 23 to July 31 in Victoria Falls.
This prestigious conference, the second Ramsar COP to be held in Africa after Uganda hosted COP 9 in 2005, is expected to bring global attention to the critical importance of wetlands in addressing environmental challenges.
But before Ramsar COP 15, Zimbabwe will kick off a year of wetlands awareness with a special World Wetlands Day celebration on February 2, 2025.
This year’s observance will not follow the usual format but will be elevated to a grand occasion, emphasizing Zimbabwe’s commitment to both local and global wetlands conservation efforts as it prepares for the Ramsar conference later in the year.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, are expected to be among the key speakers at this high-profile event in Hwange, Matabeleland North—a region that will also host Ramsar COP 15.
This event is expected to set the tone for a series of activities that will continue throughout the year, spotlighting the critical role wetlands play in sustainable development.
Hwange is an ideal location for the World Wetlands Day celebrations, as it not only showcases the country’s commitment to conservation but is also lies in the same province in which Ramsar COP 15 conference will be held.
Known for its vast biodiversity and natural beauty, Hwange is an important part of Zimbabwe’s ecological landscape. Its wetlands are vital for the surrounding communities and wildlife, reinforcing the region’s importance to both national and international environmental efforts.
In addition to the main event in Hwange, Zimbabwe’s 2025 World Wetlands Day will feature provincial celebrations across the country.
These celebrations will include community outreach programs, clean-up campaigns, expert-led panel discussions, presentations guided tours of local wetlands, and cultural performances, all aimed at raising awareness about the importance of wetlands and engaging the public in conservation efforts.
The theme for 2025’s World Wetlands Day is “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” focuses on the essential role that wetlands play in safeguarding human well-being, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
Thus the observance of World Wetlands Day will not only highlight the urgent need to protect these invaluable ecosystems but also serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to ensure their survival.
The day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention in 1971, when the international community committed to the sustainable use of wetlands.
Key organizations such as BirdLife Zimbabwe, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife are playing key roles in driving these efforts, advocating for sustainable wetland management and conservation practices.
Zimbabwe, which also faces a challenge mainly in cities development projects that have destroyed wetlands in some places, has made significant strides in wetlands conservation over the years, ratifying the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 2012 and designating seven key wetlands as Wetlands of International Importance.
These sites, Victoria Falls, Driefontein Grasslands, Middle Zambezi/Mana Pools, Lake Chivero, Monavale Vlei, Chinhoyi Caves, and Cleveland Dam, are vital not only to Zimbabwe’s biodiversity but also to its water resources and local economies.
In 2022, Zimbabwe launched a comprehensive National Wetlands Policy and Wetlands Management Guidelines, which outline the strategies and regulations necessary for effective wetlands conservation.
These documents aim to balance environmental protection with socio-economic development, ensuring that communities living around wetlands benefit from their sustainable use.
The Ramsar conference will focus on strengthening global action for wetlands conservation, recognizing the urgent need to tackle global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity.
By hosting this international event, Zimbabwe stands strategically to further its wetlands conservation agenda, promote regional cooperation, and advocate for global action to safeguard these critical ecosystems.
