Zimbabwe has called for increased global efforts to protect fragile dryland ecosystems, with Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, urging countries to scale up sustainable land management and environmental conservation initiatives.
Speaking at a high-level Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-led side event at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, Dr Ndlovu said protecting vulnerable ecosystems required coordinated action, strong institutional frameworks and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
She highlighted Zimbabwe’s participation in the Global Environment Facility (GEF-7) Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme (DSL-IP), which promotes sustainable forest and land management, climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable value chains.
The Minister said environmental protection should be prioritised through initiatives that restore degraded landscapes, conserve biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of communities that depend on natural resources.
She called for increased investment in agroforestry, sustainable forest management and landscape restoration, noting that proven interventions needed to be scaled up to address the growing threats of climate change, land degradation and biodiversity loss.
Dr Ndlovu also emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation among countries through the three Rio Conventions, which focus on combating desertification, conserving biodiversity and addressing climate change.
“We must work together to combat desertification, protect biodiversity and address climate change to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations,” Dr Ndlovu said.
She further called for greater international technical and financial support to scale up environmental restoration programmes, including through the Dryland Forest Support Accelerator (DFSA).
“We have the knowledge, partnerships and proven approaches. The time has come to take them to scale,” she said.
Dr Ndlovu reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to translating global environmental commitments into practical interventions that protect natural resources, restore ecosystems and improve rural livelihoods.
She further extended an invitation to the country’s international partners for the fifth session of the COFO Working Group on Dryland Forests and Agrosilvopastoral Systems, next year, which is expected to provide a platform for strengthening international partnerships and sharing solutions for sustainable dryland management.
Zimbabwe’s participation at COP31 underscores the country’s commitment to environmental preservation through the sustainable management of land, forests and biodiversity.
