Two major international conservation groups have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting and advancing conservation in Africa.
The MoU between BirdLife International and the Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG) will benefit a growing population of partners in 26 countries in Africa and 116 globally.
ABCG Director Africa Rubina James said the agreement will also address the most urgent triple planetary crises namely climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
She said the MoU comes at a time Kenya is hosting the Africa Climate Summit starting September 4 to build momentum for urgent climate action ahead of the Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
James said the agreement will focus on developing and implementing conservation programmes and linkages including climate change, restoration in line with the Africa Union Agenda 2063, Africa’s vision and development agenda and the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
The environmental expert said the collaboration evidences the value of harnessing collective resources and commitment to protect, conserve, and preserve biodiversity to ensure the well-being of the planet and the survival of all life in the air, on land and under water.
"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,” she said during the signing ceremony in Nairobi on August 24.
James said through the MOU, BirdLife and ABCG would collaborate closely in joint advocacy campaigns and actions that enhance biodiversity conservation, restoration and climate resilience building of local communities.
Other aspects that would be included are resource mobilisation for conservation work, policy influencing and working with governments to push for implementation of global commitments on biodiversity and climate.
"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 globally, in addition to its cutting-edge science,” she said.
James said on its part, ABCG would link BirdLife Africa to other technical partners and potential funding agencies with the aim of supporting biodiversity conservation in Africa.
"This will provide BirdLife with resources, where available for capacity strengthening and share information and facilitate engagement of its scientists in policy dialogues and learning events globally,” she said.
Birdlife International Africa regional director Kariuki Ndang’ang’a said the collaboration would leverage the organisation’s extensive partnership across the continent, technical capacity and innovative conservation solutions to tackle some of the most pressing biodiversity challenges on the continent.
