By Dauda Abbas
In a significant stride toward collaborative biodiversity conservation in Africa, the Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG) and BirdLife International Africa have officially joined hands.
This partnership was cemented on Thursday, August 24, 2023, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU’s primary focus revolves around the development and execution of conservation programs and linkages.
These initiatives encompass climate change and restoration, aligning seamlessly with the Africa Union Agenda 2063, Africa’s overarching vision and development agenda, and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework—a comprehensive global strategy aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.
This collaboration emerges during a critical juncture in addressing the triad of planetary crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
It also coincides with Kenya’s upcoming role as host for the Africa Climate Summit—an event designed to galvanize urgent climate action in anticipation of the Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
ABCG and BirdLife are set to synergize their efforts, not only in executing joint advocacy campaigns but also in actions that bolster biodiversity conservation and restoration.
These initiatives will enhance the climate resilience of local communities, mobilize resources for conservation work, influence policy-making processes, and collaborate with governments to ensure the implementation of global commitments regarding biodiversity and climate.
BirdLife’s contribution to this partnership includes sharing its scientific and technical expertise. This will be facilitated through its extensive network of partners across 26 African countries and 116 countries globally, coupled with its cutting-edge scientific capabilities.
ABCG, on the other hand, will serve as a bridge, connecting BirdLife Africa with its technical partners and potential funding agencies. This support aims to fortify biodiversity conservation efforts in Africa.
Additionally, ABCG will make resources available, where possible, for capacity building and facilitate the involvement of BirdLife Africa scientists in global policy dialogues and knowledge-sharing events.
Rubina James, Director of ABCG, expressed the organization’s honor in signing the MoU with BirdLife Africa. She underscored the significance of acknowledging bird species and their habitats as crucial contributors to ecosystem health and conservation.
Dr. Kariuki Ndang’ang’a, Regional Director for Africa at BirdLife International, emphasized the timeliness of this collaboration, which will leverage BirdLife’s vast network and technical capabilities to address pressing biodiversity challenges in Africa.
This partnership signifies the value of collective resources and commitment to protect and preserve biodiversity, ensuring the well-being of the planet and all its inhabitants in the face of an ecological crisis.