Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties

23 Jul - 31 Jul 2025

The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) will take place from 23 to 31 July 2025 in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).

 

Registration

Representatives of Contracting Parties and approved observers can register here.

 

Information for participants

For additional details, please see here. 

Download a zip file of the documents.

 

Side events

The side events schedule for COP15 can be accessed here.

Agenda

1 Opening of the meeting
1.1 Opening statements (no document)
Procedural matters
2 Election of the President and Vice-Presidents and remarks by the President (no document)
3 Adoption of the provisional agenda and working programme
3.1 Provisional agenda Show documents Hide documents
3.2 Provisional working programme Show documents Hide documents
4 Adoption of the Rules of Procedure Show documents Hide documents
5 Appointment of the Credentials Committee and any other committees (no document)
6 Admission of observers Show documents Hide documents
Administrative matters
7 Report of the Chair of the Standing Committee Show documents Hide documents
8 Report of the Secretary General on the implementation of the Convention
8.1 Global implementation Show documents Hide documents
8.2 Work of the Secretariat Show documents Hide documents
9 Report of the Secretariat pursuant to Article 8.2 on the List of Wetlands of International Importance Show documents Hide documents
10 Report of the Chair of the CEPA Oversight Panel on implementation of the CEPA Programme 2016-2024 Show documents Hide documents
11 Report of the Chair of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) Show documents Hide documents
12 Report of the Secretariat on the Ramsar Regional Initiatives Show documents Hide documents
13 Report of the Secretariat on enhancing decision-making procedures and maintaining effective operation of the Convention during exceptional circumstances Show documents Hide documents
14 Report of the Secretariat on assessment of progress on wetland restoration Show documents Hide documents
13 May 2025

COP15 Inf.3 Report of the Secretariat on assessment of progress on wetland restoration: Full assessment report

English
15 Report of the Secretariat on opportunities to further strengthen the Convention’s contribution to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals Show documents Hide documents
16 Report of the Secretariat on the implementation of Resolution XIV.20 Show documents Hide documents
23 April 2025

COP15 Inf.2 Implementation of Resolution XIV.20: Final assessment report of environmental damage on Wetlands of International Importance in Ukraine stemming from the Russian Federation’s aggression

English
17 Report of the Secretariat on administrative and financial implications of draft resolutions Show documents Hide documents
18 Financial report for 2023-2025 of the Chair of the Subgroup on Finance of the Standing Committee, and proposed budget for the 2026-2028 triennium Show documents Hide documents
19 Election of Contracting Parties to the Standing Committee for 2025-2028 (no document)
20 Wetland City Accreditation
20.1 Presentation of certificates (no document)
20.2 Report of the Independent Advisory Committee on the implementation progress and financing of the Wetland City Accreditation Show documents Hide documents
21 Presentation of the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award winners (no document)
Draft resolutions
22 Consolidation of existing Resolutions
22.1 Consolidated Resolution on assessment of wetland values and services Show documents Hide documents
22.2 Consolidated Resolution on water, water-related and water-management-related matters Show documents Hide documents
22.3 Consolidated Resolution on inventories Show documents Hide documents
23 Consideration of the draft resolutions and recommendations submitted by Contracting Parties and the Standing Committee
23.1 Draft resolution on financial and budgetary matters Show documents Hide documents
23.2 Draft resolution on the responsibilities, roles and composition of the Standing Committee and regional categorization of countries under the Convention on Wetlands Show documents Hide documents
23.3 Draft resolution on the Strategic Plan of the Convention on Wetlands 2025-2034 Show documents Hide documents
23.4 Draft resolution on enhancing the Convention’s visibility and synergies with other multilateral environmental agreements and other international institutions Show documents Hide documents
23.5 Draft resolution on Ramsar Regional Initiatives 2025-2028 Show documents Hide documents
23.6 Draft resolution on CEPA Show documents Hide documents
23.7 Draft resolution on the status of Sites in the List of Wetlands of International Importance Show documents Hide documents
23.8 Draft resolution on the process for recruiting a new Secretary General Show documents Hide documents
23.9 Draft resolution on implementing the institutional strengthening of the Convention on Wetlands Show documents Hide documents
23.10 Draft resolution on future implementation of scientific and technical aspects of the Convention 2025-2028 Show documents Hide documents
23.11 Draft resolution on establishment of the Waterbird Estimates Partnership and delivery of the 2027 edition of Waterbird Population Estimates Show documents Hide documents
23.12 Draft resolution on application of Criteria 6 and 9 to new and existing Wetlands of International Importance Show documents Hide documents
23.13 Draft resolution on [updates to] Ramsar Information Sheets Show documents Hide documents
23.14 Draft resolution on strengthening action on culture and wetlands Show documents Hide documents
23.15 Draft resolution on restoration of degraded freshwater ecosystems to support ecological character biodiversity and ecosystem services Show documents Hide documents
23.16 Draft resolution on strengthening national actions for the conservation and restoration of [waterbird flyways] [critical waterbird flyway sites] Show documents Hide documents
23.17 Draft resolution on promoting incorporation of new technology and traditional knowledge in wetland conservation, restoration, management, and wise use Show documents Hide documents
23.18 Draft resolution on achieving the equitable governance and effective conservation of wetlands as protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) Show documents Hide documents
23.19 Draft resolution on youth empowerment and integration: driving engagement in and the longevity of the Convention on Wetlands Show documents Hide documents
23.20 Draft resolution on promoting sustainable lifestyles for the wise use of wetlands Show documents Hide documents
23.21 Draft resolution on recognition of river dolphins as key species for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in South America and Asia Show documents Hide documents
23.22 Draft resolution on education and participation as a basis for the management of urban and peri-urban wetlands Show documents Hide documents
23.23 Draft resolution on assessing pressures on and risks to wetlands Show documents Hide documents
23.24 Amended draft resolution on the Ramsar List Show documents Hide documents
23.25 Draft resolution on thanks to the host country, the Republic of Zimbabwe Show documents Hide documents
Procedural matters
24 Report of the Credentials Committee (document COP15 Doc.24)
25 Date and venue of the next ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (no document)
26 Any other business (no document)
27 Adoption of the report of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (no document)
28 Close of the meeting (no document)