IMAGE/FSC.
By PATRICK MAYOYO
The extremely anticipated Zámba Heritage Congress, a landmark occasion that may convene international leaders and specialists to debate the way forward for Africa’s forests kicked-off this morning in Nairobi, Kenya.
Organised by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Africa in partnership with the Authorities of Kenya, the Congress goals to deal with the mounting environmental challenges going through the continent’s very important forest ecosystems.
The convention, which runs for 3 days, brings collectively key stakeholders from throughout Africa and past, together with environmental conservationists, local weather change specialists, neighborhood leaders, in addition to state and non-state actors.
The gathering seeks to seek out sustainable options to protect Africa’s essential forest landscapes, together with the Congo Basin’s tropical rainforests, Afro-montane forests, dry woodlands, and peatlands; all of that are very important to international biodiversity, local weather stability, and the combat towards deforestation.
These ecosystems, that are integral to regulating the planet’s local weather, face unparalleled threats from land degradation, unlawful logging, agricultural growth, and rising socio-economic pressures.
A key characteristic of the Zámba Heritage Congress is the launch of the Zámba Heritage Motion Plan. This complete 10-year roadmap units formidable targets to place 30 million hectares of African forests beneath sustainable administration, restore 5 million hectares of degraded land, and unlock $400 million in finance for sustainable forest administration (SFM) throughout the continent.
The Zámba Heritage Initiative, which varieties the muse of the Congress, was conceived by FSC Africa in collaboration with organisations reminiscent of The Nature Conservancy and the African Forest Discussion board. Its core mission is to help African nations of their pursuit of sustainable forest administration by facilitating monetary flows to the sector and strengthening governance round forest sources.
The Congress additionally goals to set the stage for post-COP30 initiatives, positioning African forests as a key precedence in international local weather and biodiversity negotiations. This consists of efforts to safe formidable pledges from governments, buyers, and donors, whereas reinforcing the significance of nature-based options, sustainable carbon markets, and biodiversity conservation within the face of Africa’s pressing environmental challenges.
Along with the strategic discussions, the occasion will foster stronger partnerships between African nations, conservation organisations, donors, and affect buyers, enabling them to mainstream sustainability into intra-Africa commerce and international wood-based provide chains.
With an eye fixed on future motion, the Zámba Heritage Congress will play a significant function in guaranteeing that Africa’s forests should not solely preserved however are additionally recognised as essential to each the continent’s growth and the worldwide local weather agenda.
Keep tuned for extra updates because the Congress unfolds over the approaching days.
