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The first SARRI workshop was held on 20 and 21 May 2024, in La Réunion Island (France). Organized by NatureXpairs, the French Hub for Nature and People, with the support of the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) and benefiting from the expertise of MedWet, IUCN, the Ramsar and SADC Secretariat, this workshop brought together twenty-two participants representing the SARRI member countries and their partners. At the end of the workshop a “La Réunion Declaration” was drafted and unveiled on the last day of the 16th session of the International Wetlands Week Reunion, to which this workshop was linked. In front of 250 stakeholders, member states confirmed their commitment to act in favor of wetlands and to ensure that the SARRI is operationalized.

The Southern Africa Ramsar Regional Initiative (SARRI) brings together SADC countries, communities, and partners to protect and restore the region’s wetlands through coordinated action and shared knowledge. Initiated by SADC Ministers of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change and established under the Ramsar Convention, SARRI strengthens water security, climate resilience, and biodiversity by supporting collaborative projects, regional governance, and capacity‑building across 12 Southern African countries. This brochure provides an overview of SARRI’s purpose, priorities, and regional impact. It introduces readers to the initiative’s governance model, strategic objectives, and collaborative approach, while highlighting key milestones such as the La Réunion Declaration and the growing network of partners supporting wetland conservation across Southern Africa. Designed as an accessible entry point, the brochure helps stakeholders understand how SARRI works, why regional coordination matters, and how they can get involved in safeguarding wetlands for people and nature