Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday called on the global community to act boldly and urgently in protecting wetlands as they are a shared heritage and future. He said this while officially opening the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Victoria Falls.
“We are one united people and citizens of our planet Earth, with a sacred duty to protect that which has been entrusted to us by Almighty God, for both present and future generations,” he said.
The COP15, themed “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” brings together global leaders, scientists, and civil society representatives to discuss policy and practical action for wetland conservation. Wetlands, ranging from swamps and marshes to mangroves and peatlands, are among the Earth’s most vital yet threatened ecosystems.
President Mnangagwa noted that wetlands support about 40 percent of global species and sustain the livelihoods of over a billion people whilst also playing a key role in water purification, flood control, and carbon storage. “To neglect wetlands would be to abandon a critical portion of our existence,” he said, adding despite their importance, wetlands are under increasing threat from urban expansion, agriculture, and climate change. He called for innovative restoration strategies, stronger policy frameworks, and inclusive community involvement.
“Future efforts must prioritise building resilience to climate change and recognise the vital ecosystem services that wetlands provide,” President Mnangagwa said. Zimbabwe ratified the Ramsar Convention in 2013 and has since designated seven sites as part of its commitment to preserving ecological heritage. This, President Mnangagwa said, aligns with the constitutional mandate to provide a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all.
A major outcome expected from COP15 is the adoption of the Victoria Falls Declaration, which will push for greater investment, political will, and collaboration in wetland conservation. President Mnangagwa pledged Zimbabwe’s continued leadership in resource mobilisation, rehabilitation initiatives, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to drive sustainable wetland management.
With Victoria Falls as the backdrop, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of natural wonder, the summit underscores both the urgency and the hope in securing the planet’s wetlands for future generations.
New Ziana
