Africa-Press – Eswatini. Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has departed the Kingdom of Eswatini for Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, where he will represent His Majesty King Mswati III and the nation at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Accompanied by the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, the Prime Minister is expected to participate in high-level deliberations alongside heads of state, ministers, and environmental experts from around the world. The conference runs under the theme: “Wetlands Action for People and Nature.”
COP15 is a globally significant platform convened under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty adopted in 1971 for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Unlike the UN’s COP on Climate Change, Ramsar COPs focus specifically on wetlands, which play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, water purification, food security, and climate resilience.
This year’s meeting brings together state parties from Africa such as South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Botswana, and Namibia, as well as international delegations from Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Japan, Brazil, India, Australia, and Canada, among others. Together, these countries are working to strengthen cooperation on the protection and wise use of wetlands amid growing threats such as urban development, climate change, and pollution.
For Eswatini, participation in COP15 comes at a time when the country is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable environmental management and increasing its visibility in international diplomacy. Prime Minister Dlamini’s presence also signifies the Kingdom’s intent to contribute to global conversations on sustainability and resource conservation.
Minister Mkhonta-Simelane will be involved in side events and technical sessions where Eswatini’s wetlands preservation efforts, such as those at Nhlangano, Mantenga, and Hawane, will be spotlighted.
The outcomes of COP15 are expected to shape future policy directions and funding streams for wetland conservation globally. Eswatini’s active engagement is seen as a positive step in promoting the country’s environmental priorities on the international stage.
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