SARRI Webinar on National Wetland Inventories and Ecosystem Assessments: Strengthening Regional Approaches and Ecosystem Accounting in SADC.
The objective of this webinar is to provide a high-level platform for SARRI member states and partners to share experiences, approaches, and progress in the development of national wetland inventories and ecosystem assessments and to explore their integration into national ecosystem accounting frameworks. The session also aims to strengthen regional alignment across SADC by promoting standardized methodologies, improving data-driven decision-making, and identifying opportunities for collaboration, technical support, and capacity building to enhance wetland management and reporting.
Session Highlights
- Share national experiences, progress, methodologies, and tools used for wetland inventories, mapping, ecosystem assessments, and ecosystem accounting
- Explore integration of wetlands into national ecosystem accounting and reporting systems
- Identify gaps, challenges, and priority support needs in data, capacity, and coordination
Expected Outcomes
- Improved understanding of national and regional progress on wetland inventories and assessments
- Increased awareness of standardized tools, methodologies, and best practices
- Clear identification of key challenges and capacity gaps across Member States
- Inform priority areas for technical and institutional support
Speakers
Jean-Claude Labrosse – Principal Climate Adaptation Officer (Sychelles) Introduction to the Southern Africa Ramsar Regional Initiative: Opportunities for Engagement
Ms. Nancy—Job Lead of the Freshwater Biodiversity Programme at the South African National Biodiversity Institute Case Study 1: South Africa—progress in wetland mapping, ecosystem assessments, and integration into national reporting frameworks
Mrs. Belda Q. Mosepele, Senior Lecturer, Aquatic Biologist Department of Wildlife & Aquatic Resources Faculty of Natural Resources Botswana University of Agriculture & Natural Resources (BUAN) Case Study 2: Botswana – progress in wetland inventory development, ecosystem assessments, and application in decision-making processes
Haron Akala – Wetlands International Eastern Africa Introducing Wetland International: Opportunities for Southern Africa.
WI- expertise and expertise on how this will be deployed within the Southern Africa Region.
Organizers
The Southern African Ramsar Regional Initiative (SARRI), in partnership with Wetlands International Eastern Africa and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),
Date and Time
Friday, 24th July 2026,
From 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (SAST)/11:00 AM – 12:00 NOON (EAT)
via Microsoft Teams.