The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands’ Secretariat is set to visit Zimbabwe on 18 to 19 February 2025 for a final assessment of the country’s preparedness to host COP15.
Phanuel Mangisi, Environment Impact Assessment Manager (EIA) for the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Ramsar Convention National Focal Person for Zimbabwe, told participants at a Convention on Wetlands COP15 Communications Sub-Committee stakeholders planning meeting in Harare recently that the secretariat has so far visited Zimbabwe twice to assess the country’s preparedness to host COP15.
Mangisi said that during the end of COP14 held in Geneva in 2022, Zimbabwe announced its intention to submit its candidature to host COP15 subject to official written confirmation through diplomatic channels.
He said that the announcement was welcomed by acclamation, also adding that China was the host, but the COP14 was held in Geneva because of Covid-19 prevalence in China.
He said that it was held physically in Geneva and virtually in China.
Mangisi added that the Zimbabwe cabinet went to approve the hosting of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands COP15.
He said that following the winning of the bid, the country has been seized with preparations for the COP to be held in Victoria Falls from 23 to 31 July, 2025.
Also following the endorsement of the hosting, according to Mangisi, Zimbabwe successfully convened a host agreement signing ceremony on 4 March 2024 in Harare, where the Ramsar secretary general, Dr Muosanda Mumba, and the Minister of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife signed the agreement, signifying Zimbabwe’s commitment to hosting the COP in 2025.
The Secretary General also had the opportunity to visit some of Zimbabwe’s Ramsar sites, including Lake Chivero, Monavale Vlei, and Cleveland Dam in Harare.
She also toured Mukuvisi Woodlands and the Haka Game Park which is located a few kilometers out of Harare.
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that have traditionally provided a wide range of ecological goods and services such as water provision, flood control, support for biodiversity, local climate control and food provisions.
According to the EMA, Zimbabwe has a variety of wetlands covering 13 659 579 hectares which is 34,96% of the total area of Zimbabwe as captured by the Wetlands Masterplan of 2021 developed by the Agency.
Zimbabwe ratified the Ramsar Convention in 2013 and seven Ramsar sites have been listed in the country.
The country has also developed wetlands management framework such as the Environmental Management Act CAP 20:27 Section113,Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007,the EIA process for Pescribed projects, National wetlands Policy (2021),National Wetlands Management Guidelines(2021) and the National Wetlands Master Plan (2021).
The country has also gazetted selected wetlands as ecologically sensitive areas from 2021 to 2024 with limitations in terms of infrastructure developments.
A national wetlands database has also been developed.
THE Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was opened for signature in the town of Ramsar, Islamic Republic of Iran on 2 february 1971 and has a membership 172 parties.
The Convention was developed as a response to increasing pressure and destruction of wetlands and the impact of them on both people and the biodiversity.
The Covention’s mission in the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation as a contribution towards achieving development throughout the world.
Zimbabwe ratified the Convention on 3 May,2013 and to date seven sites have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites),with a surface area of 453828 hectares, according to the EMA.
The sites are Victoria Falls, Driefontein Grasslands, Mana Pools, lake Chivero and Lake Manyame, Monavale Vlei, Chinhoyi Caves and Cleveland Dam.
