Kavango, Zambezi region marks wetland milestones at Ramsar COP15
The Kavango Zambezi region has taken major strides in wetland conservation as the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was hosted in Victoria Falls - the first time Zimbabwe has welcomed the global gathering.BirdLife Zimbabwe, a key conservation voice for the region, highlighted the importance of wetlands for biodiversity, livelihoods and tourism. “This was only the second time the conference has been held in Africa, and it took place right in the heart of Kavango Zambezi,” said Julia Pierini, chief executive of BirdLife Zimbabwe. “Victoria Falls symbolises the vital role of water, wildlife and people in our region.”
A highlight of the conference was the recognition of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Kasane-Kazungula and Shakawe (Botswana) as internationally accredited Wetland Cities. This designation celebrates cities that actively safeguard their wetlands and weave them into sustainable urban development.
According to BirdLife Zimbabwe’s Ronnie Chirimuta, the new status opens doors to global knowledge exchange: “For our region, this means fresh momentum to manage development in harmony with ecological values.”
Another milestone was the launch of the Southern African Ramsar Regional Initiative (SARRI), which will support countries with shared strategies, policies and advocacy for wetlands as part of sustainable development.
New flyways strategy
Migratory birds were also in the spotlight. BirdLife partners presented a new flyways strategy, aligning with the KAZA Bird Conservation Strategy, to protect species that rely on the region’s rivers and wetlands for stopovers, breeding and roosting.
The event also gave momentum to the idea of a National Wetlands Bill for Zimbabwe, aimed at halting the loss of wetlands: More than 80% of which have already been degraded. “Wetlands are the region’s primary water source, yet we are drying them up,” warned Chirimuta. “We need an ambitious plan to restore what we’ve lost.”
Youth engagement was another encouraging feature, with students and young conservationists participating actively. BirdLife Zimbabwe stressed that empowering young people will be critical to long-term success.
As Zimbabwe takes on the Ramsar presidency for the next three years, BirdLife Zimbabwe has urged action in three key areas: stronger policies, wider recognition of wetlands’ economic and ecological value, and greater support for communities as custodians.
“The world was watching,” Pierini said. “Now we must turn recognition into protection, and dialogue into action.”