Southern Africa Unites to Protect Wetlands with Launch of SARRI at Ramsar COP15
The Southern African region has today marked a major milestone in environmental conservation with the official launch of the Southern Africa Ramsar Regional Initiative (SARRI) at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention (COP15), currently underway in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Representing President Hakainde Hichilema, Minister of Water and Sanitation Development Hon. Collins Nzovu is leading Zambia’s delegation at the event. The Ministry of Tourism is also participating, represented by National Parks and Wildlife Director Mr. Dominic Chiinda and other senior officials.
SARRI is the result of extensive regional collaboration and will serve as a vital platform for transboundary cooperation in the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
“Wetlands are critical to our biodiversity, our livelihoods, and our resilience to climate change,” said Hon. Nzovu. “Zambia is proud to co-host this historic launch and stand united with our SADC partners in protecting these ecosystems.”
SARRI’s key objectives include: Promoting transboundary conservation of wetlands, Mobilising financial and technical support, and Strengthening policy frameworks for wetland protection.
The launch has brought together high-level officials from SADC Member States, the Ramsar Secretariat, IUCN, SADC Secretariat, and development partners such as the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), NatureXapirs, and MedWet.
The Ministry of Tourism emphasized that wetlands must be protected through collective action, calling on governments, civil society, the private sector, and communities to play their part.
The statement was issued by Nelly Banda, Principal Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Tourism.
