Staff Writer
The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15) officially kicks off today in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, bringing together 172 contracting parties to address the accelerating global degradation of wetland ecosystems.
The conference, themed “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” comes just one week after the release of the third Global Wetlands Outlook, which revealed a 37% loss of wetlands since 1971 and an 84% decline in freshwater species populations since 1970.
Addressing the media at a press conference, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Evelyn Ndlovu, underscored the urgency of the situation.
She said in Zimbabwe, wetlands cover approximately 136,595.8 km², representing 34.96% of the country’s total area.
“Among these, 21% are severely degraded, 18% are stable and pristine, and 61% are moderately degraded. This situation underscores the urgent need for conservation and wise use of wetlands,” Ndlovu said.
According to the Global Wetlands Outlook, wetland ecosystems, which constitute only 6% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface, sequester 35% of terrestrial carbon, support 40% of all biodiversity, sustain the livelihoods of over 1 billion people, and provide ecosystem services valued at $47 trillion annually.
The Minister said the conference is expected to drive three critical paradigm shifts. Delegates are anticipated to adopt the Victoria Falls Declaration, which will underscore wetland restoration as a key climate change mitigation measure.
The goal will necessitate the establishment of a Global Wetland Restoration Fund to finance crucial restoration projects worldwide.
Furthermore, a key focus will be on integrating wetland considerations into all Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans.
This aims to foster a holistic governance approach, ensuring wetlands receive due attention in environmental planning, and the implementation of a new Wetland City Accreditation Standard is also expected to encourage sustainable urban practices.
The launch of the Global Wetland Watch digital monitoring platform is planned to provide real-time data and analytics for tracking wetland health and restoration progress.
This initiative will be complemented by the operationalisation of the African Wetland Observatorium network, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing across the continent.
Ndlovu said Zimbabwe, a signatory to the Convention on Wetlands, is positioning itself as a leader in wetland conservation.
The nation’s National Wetlands Policy, Guidelines, and Masterplan align with its NDCs and National Development Strategy 1, prioritising wetland restoration.
As a testament to its commitment, Zimbabwe has pledged to designate five new Ramsar Sites by 2030 and restore 250,000 hectares of degraded wetlands.
The new sites will add to the seven already designated in 2013, including iconic locations like Monavale Vlei and Victoria Falls.
The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is expected to officiate at the event. Resolutions on wetlands and climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, and gender inclusion in wetlands management are expected to be negotiated and adopted.
A field trip to Kasibo Wetland in Hwange is also planned to showcase Zimbabwe’s nature-based solutions in wetland restoration.
“The science is clear… the policy frameworks exist, and the financial mechanisms are within reach. What remains is the will to act,” Ndlovu said, urging delegates to recognise that wetland conservation is not a luxury but a “hydrological necessity, a climate imperative, and a development obligation.”
The decisions made at COP15 are poised to significantly impact global efforts towards achieving environmental goals and fulfilling biodiversity conservation commitments for future generations.
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