COP15 set for Victoria Falls

Zimbabwe is set to host the 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in the scenic resort town of Victoria Falls from July 23 to 31. The international summit will bring together global leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society, and scientific institutions to deliberate on sustainable land use and the protection of wetlands.

This landmark event will focus on the urgent need to combat desertification, land degradation, and the worsening impacts of drought. It comes at a time when the world is facing growing environmental challenges linked to climate change and biodiversity loss. COP15 is expected to play a critical role in advancing solutions to these interconnected crises.

High-level segments of the conference will feature ministerial roundtables, dialogue sessions, and side events that explore the complex relationships between land, water, climate, and sustainable development. The gathering will also address broader social dimensions, such as land rights, gender equality, and youth empowerment, seen as key enablers of long-term environmental resilience.

The conference will build on the findings of the second edition of the Global Land Outlook and contribute to the objectives of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Organisers hope the event will generate concrete commitments and innovative strategies to promote land restoration and drought resilience, while also strengthening global cooperation on environmental governance.

Zimbabwe's hosting of COP15 presents a significant opportunity for the country to position itself as a leader in environmental diplomacy and conservation. The event also opens doors to potential support from international funding agencies like the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility, which assist countries making genuine efforts to protect and restore their natural ecosystems.

Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Zimbabwe's seven Ramsar-designated wetlands, provides a fitting backdrop for a conference dedicated to the protection of wetlands and sustainable land management. Officials expect the event to boost tourism, raise conservation awareness, and spark lasting partnerships for environmental sustainability.

Adopted in 1971, the Ramsar Convention is the only global treaty focused exclusively on the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Zimbabwe joined the convention in 2013 and has since pledged to safeguard its ecologically important wetlands, which play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity, purifying water, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

With environmental issues becoming ever more urgent, COP15 is widely seen as a crucial platform for shaping the future of land use and wetland conservation, both in Africa and globally.