The 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands officially began on Wednesday in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, welcoming participants from 172 countries.
Taking place from 23–31 July, the summit is held under the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.” A major outcome of the event is expected to be the adoption of the Victoria Falls Declaration, which aims to accelerate global wetland restoration efforts and establish a Global Wetland Restoration Fund.
In remarks delivered on Tuesday evening, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Evelyn Ndlovu, stressed the urgency of addressing wetland degradation.
“Protecting wetlands is more than an environmental issue—it’s a climate necessity, a water management priority, and a development responsibility,” Ndlovu emphasized.
Several key initiatives will be launched at COP15, including the Global Wetland Watch platform for real-time monitoring, and the creation of an African Wetland Observatory Network to support local action. Wetlands will also be further integrated into national biodiversity and climate plans, with expanded Wetland City Accreditation efforts.
Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, called the gathering a historic milestone, noting it is only the second time the event has been hosted on the African continent.
“This isn’t just about policy—it’s a convergence of science, diplomacy, and community working toward one goal: safeguarding our wetlands,” she said.
First signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, the convention remains the only global treaty dedicated solely to wetland conservation. To date, over 2,500 Ramsar sites have been designated worldwide.
Zimbabwe, a signatory since 2012, currently has seven Ramsar-listed sites, including Lake Chivero, Mana Pools, and Monavale Vlei.
Despite these efforts, the Convention Secretariat reports that more than 411 million hectares of natural wetlands have been lost since 1970. Addressing this loss may require up to $550 billion in restoration funding.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to officially open the summit later this week. Delegates will also visit the Kasibo Wetland in Hwange as a showcase of Zimbabwe’s nature-based restoration initiatives.
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