Official Launch of the Southern Africa Ramsar Regional Initiative (SARRI)

On July 25th 2025, at the Ramsar COP15 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, a landmark moment took place for regional cooperation on wetlands: the official launch of the Southern Africa Ramsar Regional Initiative (SARRI).

Together with key partners – SADC, IUCN, the French Biodiversity Office, MedWet, and SARRI member countries – participants celebrated 18 months of joint efforts and outlined the future of this regional initiative.

A fully operational initiative

In record time, SARRI has achieved major milestones:

• adoption of its terms of reference and establishment of a dedicated Secretariat,
• development of a communication strategy with a strong visual identity (logo, website),
• a well-structured governance system with an active presidency and a clear strategic plan.

SARRI’s official representation at COP15 reflects its growing role in wetland conservation across Southern Africa and its recognition on the international stage.

Key challenges ahead

While the initiative is now operational, important next steps remain:

• recruiting a dedicated coordinator,
• developing a robust financing plan,
• securing donor support to launch SARRI’s first flagship project.

A strong collective spirit

Beyond governance and strategies, SARRI has already built a resilient, united, and committed community determined to strengthen ecological resilience and promote the value of wetlands in the region. The French Biodiversity Office and NatureXpairs remain fully committed to supporting SARRI’s growth and to mobilizing the resources needed for its future.

Congratulations to all SARRI members and partners for this remarkable collective achievement!