The South African government has shown full support for its delegation currently in Paris, France, as they participate in the 47th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The team is leading discussions on the proposed extension of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal into Maputo National Park in Mozambique.
Minister of Finance and the Environment, Dr Dion George, wished the team success as they work to get the transboundary park officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He said the proposed extension aligns with the country’s strategy to boost tourism, create jobs, and protect its natural environment through sustainable development.
Speaking on the development, Dr George noted that, “In line with our strategy to elevate our iconic natural sites into world-class destinations, the expansion of iSimangaliso into Maputo National Park would translate into ecological protection, job creation, and inclusive tourism, benefitting both South Africans and Mozambicans.”
The South African delegation is being led by the Director-General of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Nomfundo Tshabalala. She is supported by Dr Phil Mjwara, the country’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, and Mr Sibusiso Bukhosini, CEO of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority.
This proposal to extend iSimangaliso has already received a recommendation for UNESCO World Heritage listing from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a key advisory body to UNESCO on conservation matters.
South Africa, alongside 195 other countries, is taking part in the session, which began earlier this month and will run until 16 July 2025. Key discussions include nominations to the World Heritage List, state of conservation reports, funding requests, and other environmental protection frameworks under the 1972 World Heritage Convention, to which South Africa has been a signatory since 1997.
A key highlight of this year’s session is the proposed Transboundary World Heritage Site, combining two important ecological zones across national borders. If successful, this would mean joint conservation and tourism efforts between South Africa and Mozambique, bringing benefits such as better land use planning, community development, and biodiversity protection.
South Africa’s proposal includes clear recommendations on how both countries will cooperate under joint governance structures and a unified management framework, in line with their respective environmental laws. The plan also focuses on sustainable development and regular environmental reporting.
Before heading to UNESCO, the South African government held consultations in June 2025 to engage local stakeholders about the potential impact of the park’s expansion. The consultations were made possible with support from the Peace Parks Foundation, a non-profit group that works across southern Africa to promote transboundary conservation.
Dr George emphasized that the stakeholder consultations were a critical step in the process. “The consultation process is an integral part of the process and subsequent tabling of the possible extension at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee,” he said.
According to the official schedule, the proposal for the iSimangaliso extension will be discussed at the committee level between 11 and 13 July 2025. If approved, it would become a key example of how conservation, heritage, and development can work together across African borders.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, already one of South Africa’s oldest and most treasured World Heritage Sites, covers diverse landscapes such as coastal forests, wetlands, and dune systems. It is home to countless species of birds, fish, and mammals, and plays a vital role in both conservation and tourism in the region.
The Maputo National Park on the Mozambican side has similar ecological importance and is part of the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area, a peace park concept that promotes cross-border wildlife movement and environmental harmony.
This latest effort shows that South Africa is not only investing in natural heritage protection, but is also committed to regional cooperation, green job creation, and eco-tourism growth that benefits both its people and the environment.
