Ramsar COP15 Concluded in Zimbabwe

General Studies Paper-3

Context: The 15th Meeting of the Ramsar Convention (COP15), held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, concluded with new resolutions on wetland restoration, protection of migratory birds and wetland species, and equitable governance.

15th Meeting of the Ramsar Convention (COP15)

• The Ramsar COP15 conference in Zimbabwe attended by some 3,000 delegates, was the second time that Africa has played host to a Ramsar Convention conference after Uganda hosted COP9 in 2005.
  • The conference, themed “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”, gathered global stakeholders to address freshwater ecosystem threats.
• COP16 will be hosted by Panama in 2028.
  • Zimbabwe took over the three-year Ramsar Convention on Wetlands presidency from China.

Major Outcomes

• At COP15 of the Ramsar Convention, all 13 proposed resolutions were adopted, marking significant progress in global wetland protection and restoration.
• The resolutions focused on national action, monitoring, capacity building, integrating wetlands into climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.
• A key outcome was the Victoria Falls Declaration, emphasizing political will, resource mobilisation, and investment in sustainable wetland management.
• Its Highlights include commitments to restore degraded freshwater ecosystems, protect migratory birds, and adopt clearer criteria for designating Wetlands of International Importance.
• A new strategic plan with four goals and 18 targets was approved, though a major breakthrough in long-term financing was not achieved.
• The core budget was increased by 4.1% to CHF 15.5 million for 2025–2027.
• Additional resolutions addressed equitable governance, urban wetlands, traditional knowledge, and youth engagement.

India’s Position

• At the Ramsar COP15 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, India successfully introduced and passed a resolution titled ‘Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles for the Wise Use of Wetlands’.
• The resolution, widely supported by 172 Ramsar Contracting Parties and international organizations, emphasizes the critical role of individual and societal choices in wetland conservation and promotes a ‘whole-of-society’ approach.

Importance 

• Wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems on Earth, supporting rich biodiversity and providing essential services such as water supply, food production, flood control, and climate regulation.
• They are critical for the survival of numerous species and offer major economic benefits through fisheries, agriculture, timber, energy, and tourism.
• They also hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for many communities.

Threats

• Wetlands face threats from pollution, climate change, dams, agriculture and aquaculture, and development
• Despite their importance, wetlands are under severe threat due to drainage, pollution, overuse, and land conversion.
• Global freshwater demand has drastically increased, contributing to water stress in many regions, with climate change further intensifying the crisis.