MILLICENT HUNGWE
VICTORIA FALLS – With the thundering roar of the mighty Victoria Falls as a fitting backdrop, global environmental leaders gathered on the eve of COP15 from July 23 to 31, where a powerful message ringing clear, the time to save the world’s wetlands is now.
In a high-stakes press conference held just hours before the official commencement of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Zimbabwe stood firmly on the international spotlight.
The event was jointly hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe and the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, with Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu, and the Convention’s Secretary General, Dr. Musonda Mumba, addressing the world.
Standing before a backdrop of cascading mist and the expectant energy of delegates from across the globe, Minister Ndlovu painted a sobering picture of ecological decline.
“Since the Convention’s establishment in 1971, 37% of the world’s wetlands have been lost,” she stated, her voice resolute. “Freshwater species have plummeted by 84% since 1970, these numbers are a wake-up call.”
But her message did not end in despair, in an inspiring announcement, Minister Ndlovu unveiled Zimbabwe’s bold vision for the future.
“Zimbabwe stands ready to lead by example, we commit to designating five new Ramsar Sites by 2030 and restoring 250,000 hectares of degraded wetlands, this is our pledge to future generations.”
Echoing the urgency and passion of the Minister, Dr. Musonda Mumba, a renowned environmentalist and the first African woman to lead the Convention on Wetlands, offered a sobering warning.
“Wetlands are not a luxury. They are a necessity,” she said.
“One in four wetland species is projected to be at risk of extinction by 2050 if current trends continue. These are not just statistics they represent the collapse of life-support systems we all depend on.”
Dr. Mumba emphasized that COP15 is more than just a diplomatic gathering it is a turning point.
“This is where science, diplomacy, and community come together, we must unite under a shared goal to protect wetlands for our common future.”
With Zimbabwe taking bold steps and the global community answering the call, COP15 promises to be a landmark moment in the fight to preserve the earth’s most vital ecosystems.
The message from Victoria Falls is clear, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” is not just a theme it’s a mission.
