Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Evelyn Ndlovu has asked Parliament to approve Zimbabwe’s accession to two international biodiversity agreements aimed at strengthening environmental conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.

The motions, tabled by Ndlovu, seek Parliament’s approval for the Establishment Agreement of the International Mangrove Centre (IMC) and the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).

Under Section 327(2)(a) of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, international agreements signed by the President only become binding after approval by Parliament.

According to the motion, Zimbabwe signed the International Mangrove Centre Agreement during the 15th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15) on 25 July 2025.

The country also signed the BBNJ Agreement on 5 March 2025, with the treaty entering into force internationally on 17 January 2026 after receiving the required number of ratifications.

Presenting the motions, Ndlovu asked legislators to approve the agreements in line with constitutional requirements.

The motion states:

“NOW THEREFORE in terms of Section 327(2)(a) of the Constitution, this House resolves that the aforesaid Agreement be and is hereby approved.”

If Parliament approves the motions, Zimbabwe will formally become bound by the two international conservation agreements, strengthening its participation in global biodiversity protection initiatives.