All set for Zimbabwe Water Conference
STAFF WRITER
All is now in place for the Zimbabwe Water Conference, organised by AB Communications in partnership with the University of Zimbabwe, set for tomorrow at the Mukuvisi Woodlands in Harare.
The First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, is expected to attend as Guest of Honour in her capacity as Patron of the Environment.
The shift from the conference’s initial venue marks a significant evolution of the gathering, which will now incorporate the joint commemoration of World Water Day, World Meteorological Day, and International Day of Forests.
This convergence elevates the conference into a broad-based, multi-sector environmental platform, with water positioned as the central thread linking ecosystems, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Running under the theme, “From Wetlands to Water Security: Zimbabwe’s Leadership in a Time of Global Water Bankruptcy,” the conference seeks to frame Zimbabwe as a critical voice in shaping global water governance at a time of mounting scarcity.
The choice of Mukuvisi Woodlands as host venue provides a natural, immersive setting that reinforces the importance of nature-based solutions, wetland preservation, and environmental stewardship.
The 2026 edition comes against a backdrop of heightened global urgency and growing national leadership. Zimbabwe currently holds the chairmanship of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (2025–2028), while the African Union has designated 2026 as the Year of Water. At the same time, the United Nations has warned that the world has entered an era of “water bankruptcy,” amplifying the strategic importance of the conference.
The gathering will also feature the UNESCO, which is set to present insights from the World Water Development Report, alongside strong participation from government ministries, city authorities, development partners, and civil society organisations.
This high-level representation underscores the conference’s national significance and the growing priority placed on water security, environmental stewardship, and inclusive development in Zimbabwe.
A key highlight will be the presentation of outcomes from the Zimbabwe Water Dialogues, culminating in the Zimbabwe Water Communiqué, a strategic document expected to shape policy direction, guide investment priorities, and strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration in the water sector.
