Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, has arrived in Victoria Falls ahead of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15), scheduled for 23–31 July 2025. She was welcomed at the airport by Ambassador Tadeus Chifamba, Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, alongside senior government officials .
Soon after landing, Dr Mumba praised Zimbabwe’s commitment to environmental stewardship, calling this edition of COP the second time the event has been held in Africa since 2005. She emphasized the symbolism of convening on the edge of Victoria Falls—a globally renowned Ramsar site—and underscored the urgency of global dialogue on the fate of wetlands .
Her arrival comes just one week after the 40th anniversary of the African Ministerial Summit on the Environment (AMSEN) in Nairobi, where Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, secured a historic decision placing wetland conservation at the forefront of the summit’s conclusions . Dr Mumba highlighted the release of the third edition of the Global Wetland Outlook, pointing to alarming ecosystem losses and the economic stakes if sites like Victoria Falls were lost—impacting tourism, water security, livelihoods, and ecosystem services .
Preparations for COP15 have advanced rapidly. Over 1,000 delegates from 176 countries have already confirmed participation in the summit, which will convene under the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” . Zimbabwe, home to seven Ramsar-designated Wetlands of International Importance—including Victoria Falls itself—is using the occasion to position itself as a leader in wetland policy and action .
In early July, President Emerson Mnangagwa officially launched a media-wide countdown to COP15, urging daily broadcasts to keep global attention focused on the event’s legacy. He highlighted Zimbabwe’s wetlands, including Victoria Falls, Driefontein Grasslands, and Lake Chivero, as sites essential to biodiversity, flood control, and climate resilience .
Victoria Falls city itself has recently been awarded Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation, joining a global network of 74 cities recognized for exceptional urban wetland conservation. The formal accreditation ceremony will take place during COP15. The city is leveraging stakeholder engagement meetings—covering local residents, businesses, NGOs, and partners—to build awareness around wetland management and ensure preparations align with national and international goals .
The government of Zimbabwe has also worked closely with international organizations such as the FAO to address wetland degradation: a recent survey revealed that around 55.7% of the country’s wetlands are degraded to varying degrees, with nearly 27% in serious decline. Restoration efforts include reforestation, wetland rehabilitation, and community-led capacity building .
As Dr Mumba begins her engagements in Victoria Falls, the stage is set for intense global discussions on wetland conservation. COP15 delegates—including heads of state, policymakers, scientists, NGOs, and private sector representatives—will work under the Freshwater Challenge initiative to scale up commitments on wetland protection, restoration, and sustainable use. Zimbabwe expects around 3,000 attendees at the Elephant Hills Resort and Conference Centre, where plenaries, technical sessions, side events, and a special presentation of the Global Wetland Outlook 2025 will unfold .
Welcoming the Ramsar Chief of Secretariat ahead of the full gathering signals both confidence in Zimbabwe’s logistical readiness and a reaffirmation of global resolve to protect wetlands. For Dr Mumba, Zimbabwe’s hosting of COP15 symbolizes hope for rejuvenated global collaboration in safeguarding the planet’s most vulnerable freshwater ecosystems.
