IUCN, Regional Office for Southern Africa

The document presents the results of a survey and proposes a generic programme of action for wetlands conservation which could be adapted for implementation in SADC member states. It gives an overview of wetland types in southern Africa, highlighting key characteristics and important attributes.

This workshop brought together representatives of all stakeholder groups from Namibia and Botswana to discuss key natural resource utilisation issues. IUCN sought to begin a crucial cross-border dialogue to address incompatible land and resource uses in the area. This is the first stage in addressing transboundary natural resource management in the area, and clearly focuses on both the ecosystem and the participation of all stakeholders.

The bodiversity of southern Africa depends on water as does the regional economy. Water flows through every economic sector: agriculture, energy, industry, mining, tourism, and fisheries. However, this vital resource is under threat from environmental degradation due to population growth, poverty, climate change and pollution.