COP15 Zimbabwe will bring 172 countries to Zimbabwe to address wetland protection and climate-related water issues.
The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, also known as COP15, will occur from July 23 to 31, 2025, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Representatives from 172 countries will gather to address urgent issues affecting wetlands, including climate change, wetland loss, water resource management, and international cooperation.
This major international meeting marks a critical opportunity to commit to the protection and sustainable use of wetlands, which provide essential services such as water purification, flood control, biodiversity support, and carbon storage. With wetlands disappearing at an alarming rate, COP15 Zimbabwe may be one of the most important global conferences for environmental protection in 2025.
COP15 is part of the Ramsar Convention, the only international treaty focused entirely on the conservation and wise use of wetlands. First signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, the Convention now includes 172 member countries, known as Contracting Parties. These countries meet every three years at a Conference of the Parties (COP) to assess progress and agree on goals for the next cycle.
The upcoming COP15 in Victoria Falls will be only the second conference in Africa. It will run under the shared theme of World Wetlands Day 2025: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.” That celebration, held annually on February 2, also marks the anniversary of the Convention’s signing.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe will be the main partner for both COP15 Zimbabwe and World Wetlands Day 2025.
Wetlands are ecosystems where water is present at or near the surface, either permanently or seasonally. They include swamps, marshes, peatlands, estuaries, and mangroves. While they may seem ordinary, wetlands play an extraordinary role in human and environmental health.
Wetlands act as natural water filters, removing pollutants from water supplies. They also absorb heavy rainfall, helping prevent flooding. Wetlands store carbon, making them valuable tools for climate change mitigation. Additionally, they support millions of people worldwide who rely on them for fishing, farming, and tourism.
Despite their importance, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, according to past editions of the Global Wetland Outlook—a key report that will be updated and released at COP15. Wetlands are being lost due to pollution, agricultural expansion, construction, and rising temperatures.
As these ecosystems disappear, their benefits disappear, too. This impacts wildlife and people, especially in low-income and coastal areas. Damaged wetlands lead to water shortages, higher food prices, increased disaster risks, and declining biodiversity.
COP15 will focus on several urgent priorities:
- Wetland restoration: Reviving damaged or drained wetlands to function naturally.
- Climate change adaptation: Using wetlands to help communities prepare for extreme weather, flooding, and shifting climate conditions.
- Sustainable water management: Protecting wetlands through smarter water use in agriculture, industry, and cities.
- Transboundary wetland cooperation: Encouraging joint conservation efforts where wetlands cross national borders.
One of the most anticipated features of COP15 is the release of the new edition of The Global Wetland Outlook, which offers data, analysis, and strategies for governments, scientists, and policymakers.
See also: All the Major Climate Events of 2025
Zimbabwe is home to seven Ramsar Sites, designated as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. These areas are protected due to their value to people and nature. Among them is Victoria Falls National Park, a globally famous site that features one of the world’s largest and most iconic waterfalls—Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “The Smoke That Thunders.”
Victoria Falls is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a critical wetland supporting unique wildlife, vegetation, and local communities. Hosting COP15 here reflects Zimbabwe’s commitment to preserving these ecosystems and raising awareness across the region and the world.
With wetlands disappearing faster than ever, COP15 Zimbabwe arrives at a crucial moment. By bringing together nearly every country on Earth, the meeting could lead to stronger commitments to restore, protect, and manage these vital ecosystems. As attention turns to Victoria Falls in July 2025, the hope is that real action will follow—action that safeguards not just wetlands but the people and species who depend on them.
