Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife

23/08/2026

In this news item from COP17 Mongolia, Zimbabwe highlights how it is leveraging its rich experience with forests, rangelands, and agricultural systems to contribute to the global debate on drought resilience.

Rather than treating conservation in isolation, the country advocates an integrated approach that connects forests, crops, livestock, and rural livelihoods, empowering local communities to build sustainable enterprises, protect biodiversity, and build climate resilience before drought strikes.

This report features the Global Environment Facility National Focal Point, Dr. Tanyaradzwa Mundoga, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Committee on Forestry Working Group (COFO WG) Chairperson, Mr. Lewis Radzire and the Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Project Zimbabwe National Coordinator, Mrs. Precious Magwaza.

23/08/2026

Building on the historic momentum of the Wetlands COP15 Victoria Falls ZW, hosted in Victoria Falls last year, the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Honourable Evelyn Ndlovu, will participate in a High-Level Session on Wetlands during Water Day at COP17 Mongolia!

As part of this crucial session, Hon. Dr. Ndlovu will join global leaders to champion freshwater ecosystems as the cornerstone of land restoration, climate and water resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to translating global environmental pledges into concrete action on the ground.

The outcomes of the in Victoria Falls, reaffirmed that safeguarding freshwater ecosystems is central to achieving our global environmental commitments. Honourable Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife of Zimbabwe.

Join us on 25 August 2026 for at COP17 Mongolia!

📍Room MET 22, COP17 Blue Zone

Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification CGIAR International Water Management Institute (IWMI) The Nature Conservancy Wetlands International World Wildlife Fund Conservation International

23/08/2026

On the sidelines of the COP17 Mongolia, Mr. Lewis Radzire, Director of Operations at the Forestry Commission Zimbabwe and current Chairperson of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Committee on Forests Working Group (COFO-WG) on Dryland Forestry and Agrosilvopastoral Systems, took the stage at the "DREAMS Dialogues" side event in the IDRA Pavilion.

Radzire highlighted the critical need for integrated management of drylands, which are complex ecosystems vital for 2 billion people. While trees and agrosilvopastoral systems provide shade, shelter, feed, and fuel, he emphasized that an indiscriminate "any tree anywhere" approach is damaging. Instead, he encouraged the investment in holistic strategies that recognize the interconnectedness of forests, rangelands, and agrosilvopastoral practices to build lasting drought resilience.

As Zimbabwe leads this key global platform of 80 Member countries, succeeding Tanzania and Mongolia, we look forward to 2027. Zimbabwe will host both the 5th Session of the COFO-Working Group and the 5th Drylands School, continuing the momentum from COP17 and COFO28 to advance collective action and learning for sustainable dryland management.

The Committee on Forestry (COFO) is the highest global intergovernmental body within the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It serves as the primary technical and policy advisory platform for international forestry issues.

22/08/2026

Zimbabwe’s strategic presence at the COP17 Mongolia is yielding strong results.

Watch as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife , Mr. Simon Masanga and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Chairperson on Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Hon. C. Matema, discuss how Government leadership and legislative support are working together to combat land degradation and secure proactive drought financing for our communities.

22/08/2026

As Week 1 of the COP17 Mongolia concludes in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the Zimbabwe delegation, has been driving strategic policy engagements and negotiations to align global outcomes with our national development priorities.

COP17 comes at a crucial moment when land degradation and recurring droughts directly threaten food security, economic stability, and rural livelihoods across the globe.

Key Technical Highlights & Strategic Priorities (Week 1)

✅️ Advocating for a Legally Binding Drought Protocol - As a lead negotiator for the Africa Group on key agenda streams, Zimbabwe is pushing for a global, legally binding drought protocol to transition global action from reactive emergency aid to proactive, mandatory preparedness.

✅️Unlocking Global Resource Mobilization - With the operationalization of financial mechanisms like the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF) and the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, Zimbabwe is positioning itself to leverage these platforms. We are actively developing the Zimbabwe Drought Investment Plan (DIP), the first of its kind under the Convention, to build a pipeline for bankable investments in national drought resilience, solarized water schemes, and rangeland rehabilitation.

✅️Showcasing Domestic Field Successes - Zimbabwe is highlighting the Global Environment Facility (GEF-7) Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSLIP), demonstrating how nature-based solutions in the Save and Runde river catchments are restoring soil health, checking severe erosion, and protecting livelihoods.

✅️Rangelands & NDS2 Alignment - In alignment with the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), our team is championing sustainable rangeland management. Over 50% of Zimbabweans reside in rural areas where land is the economic backbone, Sustainable Land Management (SLM) directly powers National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and our journey toward an Upper-Middle-Income Economy by 2030.

Stay tuned for more updates as we enter the High-Level Ministerial Segment next week to seal global partnerships for our environment, and our people.

22/08/2026

The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife warmly congratulates Ashleigh Manhiri, Procurement Officer, on successfully graduating with a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from Chinhoyi University of Technology.

This remarkable achievement reflects Ashleigh’s dedication to professional growth, continuous learning and excellence. The Ministry celebrates this well deserved milestone and wishes him continued success as he applies his knowledge and expertise in service of the Ministry and the nation.

Congratulations, Ashleigh! 🎓👏🏽 We celebrate you and your achievement!

22/08/2026

The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF Zimbabwe (UNICEF) and with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), yesterday convened a Validation Workshop for the Zimbabwe Children’s Climate Risk Index and Disaster Risk Model (CCRI‑DRM) at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare.

Mr. Kudzai Ndidzano, Acting Director in the Climate Change Management Department, delivered opening remarks on behalf of Mr. Washington Zhakata, Acting Secretary for Environment, Climate and Wildlife. He highlighted that this partnership is critical for producing coherent, child‑inclusive, subnational risk information to guide planning, preparedness, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction across Zimbabwe.

The data highlights the scale of the challenge. Zimbabwe has approximately 7.1 million children under the age of 18, representing about 47 percent of the nation’s population, exposed to at least one climate or environmental hazard, including droughts, floods, extreme heat, tropical cyclones, and air pollution. These shocks disrupt education, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and livelihoods, with children bearing the greatest impact.

Developed following a stakeholder consultation in March 2026, the CCRI‑DRM employs global and local datasets to produce high‑resolution estimates of climate hazards affecting children, including vector‑borne diseases and air pollution.

Bringing together key stakeholders, the validation workshop was convened in collaboration with government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations, academia, and representatives of children and youth. The objective was to review the methodology and preliminary results, build consensus, and ensure the final model reflects Zimbabwe’s realities.

According to Mr. Ndidzano, “This model will help us target policies, programmes, and investments in districts where children face the greatest risks.”

Anchored in national priorities, the CCRI‑DRM aligns with Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the National Climate Policy, the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (NAP), and national disaster risk management frameworks.

Moving forward, together we are building a more resilient Zimbabwe for every child.

21/08/2026

In case you missed this!

Proceedings at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Ulaanbaatar, where Zimbabwe is pushing for a drought protocol, capacity building and green financing for land degradation neutrality and the sustainable management of rangelands.

21/08/2026

Yesterday in Mutare, at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Zimbabwe officially launched the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative, marking an important step towards strengthening the country’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate and weather related hazards.

The launch brought together Government, development partners, humanitarian organisations, and other stakeholders under a shared commitment to ensuring that every person in Zimbabwe can access timely, reliable, and actionable early warning information.

In her keynote address, the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Honourable Evelyn Ndlovu, highlighted the importance of strengthening early warning systems as a critical part of protecting lives, livelihoods, and communities.

Reflecting on the recent Lake Kariba ferry disaster, the Minister highlighted the devastating consequences when early warnings do not translate into timely action. The tragedy demonstrated that lives can be lost when hazardous conditions are not adequately responded to, even when warnings are available.

This is why Early Warnings for All is not simply about providing information; it is about making sure warnings reach people in time, are understood, and lead to the necessary action to protect lives and livelihoods.

The Early Warnings for All Initiative therefore seeks to strengthen the entire early warning system, from understanding and monitoring risks to effectively communicating warnings and ensuring that communities have the knowledge, capacity, and resources to take timely action.

The national launch therefore marks an important step towards building a more prepared and resilient Zimbabwe, where timely warnings can help prevent loss of life and reduce the impacts of floods, droughts, storms, and other climate-related hazards.

Early warnings save lives. Early action builds resilience. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind. 🇿🇼