As the 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention (COP15) unfolds in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, the global spotlight turns to the urgent need for wetland protection and the growing cooperation between China and African nations.
Wetlands Under Threat
Wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate—three times faster than forests globally. This trend is particularly concerning in Africa, where wetland degradation is on the rise. Rapid urbanization has led to informal settlements and infrastructure encroaching on wetlands, often without environmental safeguards. Mining operations have disrupted wetland hydrology, causing pollution and habitat loss. Climate change, with prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall, has further altered ecosystems and reduced water availability.
In Zimbabwe, Lake Chivero, the primary water source for Harare, has suffered deteriorating water quality due to untreated runoff and the destruction of natural filtration wetlands. Anthony Phiri, Director of Environmental Management at Zimbabwe’s Harare Institute of Technology, warns, “If the degradation continues, we may soon reach a point of no return, losing wetlands, biodiversity, and even food and water security.”
Actions Underway
Zimbabwe has designated seven Ramsar sites, including the iconic Victoria Falls. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has launched awareness campaigns and established wetland protection zones. Institutions like the Harare Institute of Technology are partnering with EMA to build artificial wetlands and conduct public education programs. Youth and students are actively involved in field projects and advocacy efforts.
“We’ve engaged local communities and even built pilot wetlands,” said Phiri. “The next step is to ensure these solutions are scaled and protected through proper policy and monitoring.”
China-Africa Collaboration
As COP15 builds on the Wuhan Declaration from 2022, Chinese and African delegates are emphasizing shared goals, including technology transfer, capacity building, co-development of conservation strategies, and stronger international financing mechanisms. Professor Lei Guangchun, Vice Chair of the National Wetland Science Committee and Board Chair of the Shenzhen Mangrove Conservation Foundation, highlighted the importance of collaboration.
“Our delegation is here not just to share lessons,” said Professor Lei, “but to help forge global consensus and strengthen the role of wetland protection in biodiversity frameworks.”
Looking Ahead: A Shared Agenda for Wetland Protection
With Africa accounting for 43% of the world’s Ramsar-designated wetland area, the continent is central to the future of global wetland protection. China’s experience offers policy, legal, and technical models that can be adapted to African contexts.
“China’s national law gives full legal status to wetlands,” said Lei. “Public accountability ensures wetlands are not destroyed in silence. These are practices worth sharing.”
As China and African nations unite efforts, there’s hope for a sustainable future where wetlands are preserved for generations to come.
