With the roar of the mighty Victoria Falls as a backdrop, NetOne Pvt Ltd, Zimbabwe’s premier digital solutions provider, delivered a powerful message at the COP15 Youth Welcome Dinner—one that blended climate action, youth empowerment, and technological innovation.
Held in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and the Ramsar National Youth Steering Committee, the event marked a significant moment in Zimbabwe’s climate journey.
In his keynote remarks, NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Raphael Mushanawani, underscored the event’s deeper meaning. “This isn’t just another dinner. This is COP15. This is Zimbabwe answering the call of its wetlands. This is the youth rising,” he declared to an audience that included diplomats, government officials, young climate advocates, media representatives, and environmental experts.
Guided by the theme *“Connecting, Conserving, and Progressing Together”*, Mushanawani praised Zimbabwe’s alignment of national development with climate priorities, notably under the leadership of President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has prioritized environmental justice, youth involvement, and resilience in policy.
The dinner stood as more than a formal gathering—it became a space for generational dialogue and cross-border cooperation. “Tonight, we do more than share a meal,” Mushanawani said. “We share a vision. One that places youth and innovation at the heart of climate solutions.”
NetOne used the platform to unveil practical steps toward that vision. Chief among them was the launch of **IoT-powered wetland sensors**, smart tools designed to capture environmental data and offer early warnings for ecosystem disturbances.
“If nature is speaking, we must be ready to listen,” the GCEO stated, highlighting the necessity of tech-driven conservation.
He also introduced **OneConnect Infrastructure**, NetOne’s cross-border digital network designed to facilitate environmental research, enable real-time monitoring, and promote policy collaboration across Southern Africa.
In a symbolic move, all delegates received NetOne **e-SIM cards**—a nod to the importance of digital connectivity in climate engagement. “This isn’t just a SIM,” Mushanawani said. “It’s a digital commitment—to connect more responsibly, to conserve more effectively, and to innovate with purpose.”
He reaffirmed that technology, in the hands of conscious stewards, can be a force for healing the planet—not harming it. “This is innovation with integrity,” he added.
As COP15 marches forward, attention now turns to the anticipated **Victoria Falls Declaration on Wetland Conservation**—a document expected to strengthen global commitments to protecting fragile ecosystems.
Throughout the evening, one message rang loud and clear: Wetlands are vital life sources, not neglected spaces. Youth are not waiting to lead—they *are* the leaders now. And technology, when wielded with vision, can be the planet’s strongest ally.
In his closing words, Engineer Mushanawani paid tribute to all contributors—youth delegates, media champions, policymakers, and international allies. His final call resonated deeply:
“From the banks of the Zambezi to every wetland on Earth—let’s protect, let’s connect, and let’s progress. Together.”
With COP15 ongoing, Zimbabwe’s role as a climate innovation hub is gaining momentum—rooted not only in policy promises but in action, collaboration, and the passionate voices of its youth.
