Story by Tichaona Kurewa
THE Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, Dr Musonda Mumba, has arrived in Victoria Falls ahead of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention.
The crucial indaba, scheduled for July 23 to 31, 2025, in Victoria Falls, will bring together delegates from over 170 countries, including Heads of State, government ministers, scientists, and wetland conservation experts.
A key objective of the convention is to tackle pressing global challenges concerning the sustainable management of wetlands.
The Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, Dr Musonda Mumba, noted that hosting COP15 in the resort city will further position Victoria Falls on the global map.
“I am very excited because this is only the second time this COP is happening in Africa after so many years. And the world will be meeting at the edge of this beautiful and iconic waterfall, the Victoria Falls, to really discuss the plight of wetlands globally. I am here in Zimbabwe to support and also celebrate with the Government of Zimbabwe and all our 172 contracting parties, the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties, or what we call COP15. This decision was made back in 2022 at the last COP, when Zimbabwe offered to host the next one,” he said.
All systems are now in place for the hosting of the global event.
“Preparations for the COP15 convention are progressing well. As you can see, most of the tent structures are in place, including the main auditorium and various exhibition stands. We are almost ready to host this event as over 90 percent of the preparation has been covered,” Deputy Director, Advocacy and Communications, Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Ms Joyce Chapungu noted.
During this COP15, Zimbabwe will assume the COP presidency for a three-year term, placing the country at the forefront of international policy-making on wetlands under the United Nations framework.
Zimbabwe becomes the first country in Southern Africa, and the second in Africa after Uganda, to preside over this prestigious global environmental convention.
