President Mnangagwa poses for a photo with delegates of the Ramsar Cop 15 in Victoria Falls
By Dickson Bandera
VICTORIA FALLS — President Mnangagwa has called on countries to put local communities at the centre of global efforts to protect the world’s wetlands, warning that lasting conservation depends on grassroots stewardship and sustainable land use.
Speaking at the official opening of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in Victoria Falls on Wednesday, President Mnangagwa said education and community engagement are critical for the long-term survival of wetlands threatened by human activities and climate change.
“Community involvement and education are critical factors of effective wetland conservation, as they can foster a sense of stewardship and promote sustainable practices within communities,” President Mnangagwa said.
Wetlands cover about 6% of the Earth’s surface but support 40% of the world’s plant and animal species and provide livelihoods for more than a billion people. Yet, President Mnangagwa warned that wetlands remain among the most threatened habitats on the planet. He stressed that development must go hand in hand with environmental protection.
“Implementing sustainable land use and development practices is vital for protecting wetlands from the impacts of human activities. This will balance development needs with the conservation of natural resources,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also urged world leaders to build wetlands into national climate strategies to secure food and water security for future generations.
“Future efforts must prioritise building resilience to climate change and recognise the vital ecosystem services that wetlands provide, in so doing ensuring their protection for the benefit of future generations,” he said.
Zimbabwe ratified the Ramsar Convention in 2013 and has since designated seven Ramsar sites across the country, which President Mnangagwa said demonstrates the Government’s commitment to safeguarding wetlands.
“Since then, we have designated seven (7) Ramsar sites, highlighting our dedication to wetland conservation and preservation, which resonates with our commitment to provide all Zimbabweans with a clean, safe and healthy environment as enshrined in the National Constitution,” he said.
COP15, which runs in Victoria Falls, is expected to adopt the Victoria Falls Declaration to strengthen global collaboration, funding and policy action to protect and restore wetlands threatened by urban expansion, pollution and climate change.
