15th CoP to Ramsar Convention on Wetlands 2025 ends in Zimbabwe

The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands ended on 31 July 2025 at the Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe. 

The Victoria Falls National Park is a designated Wetland of International Importance.

The CoP adopted an India resolution on ‘Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles for the Wise Use of Wetlands ' that called for creating enabling conditions and awareness-raising initiatives to enhance the wise use of wetlands.

The 14th CoP to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was held in Wuhan, China, from 5-13 November 2022.

Organisers of the 15th CoP 

The CoP to the Ramsar Convention is organised by the Ramsar Secretariat. The Secretariat is located at the headquarters of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Gland, Switzerland.

A signatory country to the Ramsar Convention hosts the Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention.

The 15th CoP was hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe from 23 to 31 July 2025.

The  CoP is held every three years.

Participants of the 15th CoP

The Conference of the Parties refers to the countries that have signed the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of 1971.

India joined the Ramsar Convention in Feburary 1982.

172 countries have signed the Ramsar Convention, and they were present in Zimbabwe. Many intergovernmental organisations, scientists, environmental conservationists, scientists and experts on Wetland conservation attended the Conference.

Who represented India at the 15th CoP in Zimbabwe? 

• The Indian delegation was led by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav.

Theme of the 15th CoP to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands 

• The theme of the 15th CoP to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.
• The theme emphasises the importance of wetlands in sustaining ecological health, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

About the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands 

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is officially known as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

It derives its name from the city of Ramsar in Iran, where an international conference was held in 1971 to protect wetlands and their ecosystem.

The Ramsar Convention came into force in 1975 after it was ratified by the required number of signatory countries. 

For details read

Rajasthan’s Khichan, Menar New Ramsar Sites; India’s Tally Rises to 91