AFRICA (Commonwealth Union)_ The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BirdLife International and the Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG) will help a rising number of partners in 26 African countries and 116 countries worldwide.
The deal will also address the three most pressing global crises—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, according to ABCG Director for Africa Rubina James. Ahead of the Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), she said the MoU was signed as Kenya prepares to host the Africa Climate Summit beginning on September 4.
The development and implementation of conservation programmes and links, particularly those related to climate change, restoration, the Africa Union Agenda 2063, Africa’s vision and development agenda, and the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, will be the main focus of the agreement, according to James.
According to the environmental expert, the cooperation demonstrates the need of pooling resources and dedication to safeguard, maintain, and preserve biodiversity in order to secure the survival of all species on Earth, including that which is found in the air, on land, and under the sea. During the signing event in Nairobi on August 24, she said that ABCG is honoured to sign this MoU which strives to advance the recognition and role of bird species and their habitats, as critical contributions to healthy ecosystem function and conservation.
James stated that with the MOU, BirdLife and ABCG would work closely together in combined advocacy campaigns and measures to improve biodiversity conservation, restoration, and community building for climate resilience.The mobilisation of resources for conservation efforts, influencing government policy, and working with them to push for the execution of international agreements on biodiversity and climate change would also be covered.
Moreover, BirdLife will share scientific and technical support with ABCG and other partners and tap into its vast and growing network of partners in 26 countries in Africa and 116 countries worldwide, she added ad BirdLife will also leverage its cutting-edge science.James stated that in order to support the conservation of biodiversity in Africa, ABCG would connect BirdLife Africa with additional technical partners and new financing sources.
This will give BirdLife access to resources, where available, to build its capacity, share information, and make it easier for its scientists to participate in international policy discussions and educational programmes.The collaboration, according to Birdlife International Africa Regional Director Kariuki Ndang’ang’a, will take advantage of the organization’s extensive partnerships across the continent, technical expertise, and creative conservation solutions to address some of the region’s most urgent biodiversity challenges.
