ZIMBABWE’S strong and consistent stance on wildlife conservation has earned it widespread international acclaim at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15).
Delegates attending the summit were treated to an unforgettable wilderness experience, which underscored the nation’s commitment to preserving biodiversity.
It was an afternoon unlike any other for COP15 delegates immersed in the unspoiled natural beauty of Zimbabwe’s wilderness.
Boarding open safari vehicles, the delegates embarked on a guided tour through the wild, encountering elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, and impalas in their natural habitat.
Visibly moved by the experience, international delegates from Nepal and France commended Zimbabwe’s steadfast leadership in biodiversity protection.
“We have closely seen some wildlife animals, exactly. It was quite interesting. Zimbabwe’s leadership in biodiversity conservation is very amazing. Everyone should visit this national park, and we should learn from it. We do have high-risk biodiversity in Nepal as well… but what I found here is quite amazing. It’s nice. So I really appreciate the government of Zimbabwe,” Minister of State for Forests and Environment, Nepal, Ms Rupa Bishwakarma said.
“We saw a very beautiful herd of elephants. Female elephants protecting their cubs. And we saw wild dogs, impalas, and other animals, which were very impressive. It really shows how much your country cares about protecting and conserving biodiversity. As friends, we are happy to contribute to these efforts,” France’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Paul-Bertrand Barets said.
The initiative to host foreign dignitaries in the heart of the wild is no mere showcase, but part of Zimbabwe’s broader eco-tourism and conservation diplomacy strategy, encouraging investment and international cooperation through immersive experience.
“I decided yesterday to invite ministers and ambassadors who were in Victoria Falls with me to make sure we expose our country to tourists, because these are future tourists. We were excited. Everybody was excited. We were quiet, even scared. But these are the animals we live with. It really shows how Zimbabwe is working hard to conserve nature to maintain the biodiversity we found when God created us. And we are keeping it,” the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said.
Zimbabwe’s conservation legacy is anchored in protected areas such as Hwange, Mana Pools, and Gonarezhou National Parks, strongholds for the Big Five and home to thriving ecosystems that have earned global recognition.
As COP15 continues, Zimbabwe’s model of conservation not only wins admiration but also positions the country as a vital stakeholder in Africa’s biodiversity future.
