"A world class partner for greater environmental and human security in Africa"

Established in 1948, The World Conservation Union brings together 82 States, 118 government agencies, 1000 plus NGOs, and over 10,000 scientists and experts from about 140 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. The mission of the World Conservation Union in southern Africa is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the region to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. The World Conservation Union is the world's largest environmental knowledge network that has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. It is a multicultural and multilingual organization with 1000 staff located in 62 countries.

The World Conservation Union's regional office for southern Africa was established in Zimbabwe in 1987 to serve the southern African region in the development of modern skills in conservation and natural resources management. The Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) is the southern Africa representative of a growing community of ambassadors for the environment. The World Conservation Union in southern Africa works with its 71 members in 11 countries, its global commissions and a secretariat in five countries namely Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe to further solutions to conservation and sustainable development.

"We provide strategic directions for development, through the wise-use of natural resources."

The World Conservation Union assists communities, NGOs and governments to incorporate conservation issues in their own policies and strategies. This includes providing assistance in the development of wildlife and land management policies. The World Conservation Union develops linkages between science and policy, economics and the environment, social equity and access to natural resources.

The range of services is diverse and in line with priorities for southern Africa's development; The World Conservation Union is a recognised and trusted ambassador for the environment; The World Conservation Union advocates local and global environmental policies and ensures implementation and effectiveness; The World Conservation Union generates, synthesizes, and shares knowledge on biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management; The World Conservation Union convenes and facilitates networks of the World Conservation Union members, commissions and partners, which allow civil society and governments to engage and; The World Conservation Union promotes conservation livelihoods which enable the restoration of habitats, improved productivity of land and seascapes and enhances people's lives.