COP-15 Ramasar Convention

Here’s a detailed overview of COP15 of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, being held in Zimbabwe from July 23 to 31, 2025:


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📅 What is COP15?

COP15 is the 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention, the global treaty dedicated solely to wetland conservation and wise use, in force since 1971. It brings together 172 contracting countries, along with NGOs, scientists, civil society, and partners.

Hosted in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, COP15 is guided by the theme: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”, underlining wetlands’ critical role in climate resilience, biodiversity, and human well-being.



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🇿🇼 Why Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe, having joined Ramsar in 2013, is home to seven Ramsar-listed wetlands, including Victoria Falls, Mana Pools, Driefontein Grasslands, Magic wetlands in Harare (Lake Chivero, Cleveland Dam, Monavale Vlei), and others.

According to the Environmental Management Agency, about 82% of Zimbabwe’s wetlands are moderately to severely degraded, with only ~18% remaining in good condition. This critical situation has spurred government‑FAO partnerships to restore wetlands and support community-based conservation.



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🎯 Key Priorities & Agenda

1. **Adoption of the 5th Strategic Plan (2025–2028)**
Countries are expected to agree on a new strategic plan aligned with the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and UN Sustainable Development Goals, including measurable conservation targets and robust financing mechanisms.


2. Strengthening Regional Initiatives
Enhanced coordination through Ramsar regional initiatives for regions like Asia, Africa, and Latin America is in focus—aiming to increase capacity and align regional strategies.


3. Innovative tools & partnerships
Highlighted side events include:

Earth Observation and GEO-Wetlands inventory for improved monitoring (July 27),

Mobilizing climate finance for wetlands restoration (July 30),

Freshwater ecosystem restoration through the Freshwater Challenge (July 26),

Advancing global waterbird population monitoring (July 30).





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✅ Why COP15 Matters

Global Wetlands in Crisis: Wetlands cover around 6% of Earth’s land area but hold over 40% of all biodiversity. Despite this, more than half of them are degraded. COP15 aims to reverse this trend by emphasizing nature-based solutions for climate, clean water, flood control, and livelihoods.

Elevating Wetlands in International Agendas: COP15 sends a stronger signal to integrate wetlands into climate, health, and biodiversity policy frameworks—often overlooked in major UN conventions.



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🌍 Expected Outcomes

Adoption of a comprehensive Strategic Plan with actionable targets on wetland conservation and restoration by 2030, linked with biodiversity and climate goals.

Strengthened global collaboration via regional initiatives and technical partnerships, especially for developing countries working to restore degraded wetlands.

Commitment from Parties to integrate wetlands in national biodiversity strategies, climate adaptation policies, and ecosystem restoration plans, reinforcing synergies across conventions.



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🏙️ Zimbabwe’s Role: A Spotlight Host

Victoria Falls earned Wetland City Accreditation in January 2025, recognized by Ramsar as one of 31 model cities demonstrating wise urban wetland management. Certification will be formally acknowledged during COP15.

Zimbabwe’s broader wetlands strategy includes restoration funding through FAO- and GEF-supported programs—such as restoring 39 hectares of wetlands in urban areas and 2,150 hectares of degraded lands to mitigate 1.26 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.



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🧭 What to Watch

Final adoption of the 5th Ramsar Strategic Plan, and whether countries submit stronger wetland restoration and conservation commitments.

Integration of wetland action into broader environmental frameworks, especially the UN Biodiversity Framework and UNFCCC commitments.

Movement on financing pledges, Earth observation monitoring, and youth/stakeholder engagement to scale local and regional wetland solutions.



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📝 Bottom Line

COP15 in Victoria Falls marks a pivotal turning point in wetlands action—driving a decade of enhanced global ambition and measurable progress in conserving wetlands, aligning environmental treaties, and confronting the intertwined crises of biodiversity loss and climate change head-on.
Here’s a concise FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on COP15 of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, happening in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (July 23–31, 2025):


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🧾 COP15 Ramsar Convention – FAQ

📌 1. What is COP15 of the Ramsar Convention?

COP15 is the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It is a global summit where 172 countries gather to:

Review implementation progress,

Adopt new strategies and commitments,

Strengthen international cooperation for wetland protection and wise use.



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🌍 2. What is the Ramsar Convention?

It’s a global treaty, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, focused on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It aims to:

Protect important wetlands,

Promote wise use of wetland resources,

Foster international cooperation on transboundary wetland ecosystems.



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🗓️ 3. When and where is COP15 being held?

Date: July 23–31, 2025

Host country: Zimbabwe

Venue: Victoria Falls (a Ramsar-listed wetland site)



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🏛️ 4. Why was Zimbabwe selected as the host?

Zimbabwe is a Contracting Party to Ramsar and home to 7 Ramsar sites, including:

Victoria Falls,

Driefontein Grasslands,

Lake Chivero, etc.
It was chosen for its strong local commitment to wetland conservation and for earning Wetland City Accreditation for Victoria Falls in 2025.



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📜 5. What is the theme of COP15?

“Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”
This theme emphasizes:

The critical role of wetlands in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods.



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🎯 6. What are the main goals of COP15?

Adopt the 5th Ramsar Strategic Plan (2025–2028).

Strengthen regional wetland initiatives.

Integrate wetlands into climate, biodiversity, and SDG policies.

Advance wetland monitoring via Earth observation tools.

Promote financing mechanisms for wetland restoration.



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🧪 7. What are wetlands, and why do they matter?

Wetlands are ecosystems like marshes, mangroves, swamps, peatlands, and river deltas. They:

Support 40% of global biodiversity,

Store carbon, control flooding, and improve water quality,

Provide livelihoods to millions (e.g., farming, fishing),

Act as natural climate buffers.



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🛑 8. What are the major threats to wetlands?

Urbanization and land conversion,

Climate change and drought,

Pollution and unsustainable agriculture,

Encroachment and lack of legal protection.


Globally, 35% of wetlands were lost between 1970–2015. Many remaining wetlands are degraded.


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🧭 9. What are some expected outcomes from COP15?

Adoption of the new 5th Strategic Plan,

Expanded funding and partnerships for wetland conservation,

Country-level commitments on restoration and protection goals,

Recognition of Wetland City Accreditations,

Alignment with global biodiversity and climate agendas.



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🇮🇳 10. Is India participating in COP15?

Yes. India is a Ramsar signatory and has 80 Ramsar Sites as of 2025, including:

Sundarbans,

Chilika Lake,

Loktak Lake,

Sambhar Lake.


India is actively engaging in COP15 discussions on:

Mangrove restoration,

Wetland carbon accounting,

Community-based conservation.



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📞 11. Can the public participate in COP15?

The official plenary is restricted to government and official delegates, but side events, exhibitions, and knowledge sessions are accessible to NGOs, academia, youth, and media.