By: James Kamara-Manneh
In a concerted effort to address the escalating biodiversity crisis in West Africa, representatives from ECOWAS Member Countries convened in a Coordination Meeting aligned with the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The meeting, attended by Protected Areas Management Authorities, Focal Points, and stakeholders from international organizations, emphasized the urgency of action in response to the alarming loss of biodiversity threatening both ecosystems and human well-being.
The Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in December 2022, provided the overarching structure for the discussions. With its core goals aimed at supporting the Sustainable Development Goals and envisioning a world living in harmony with nature by 2050, the framework set a bold agenda for global biodiversity conservation.
Key objectives of the meeting included a preliminary assessment of gaps in the regional network of protected areas, the development of regional guidance on spatial planning for protected area expansion, and the formulation of short and medium-term action plans to operationalize regional recommendations. Additionally, efforts were made to enhance monitoring and funding mechanisms for protected area expansion and to update National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
Joseph Sapunka Turay, representing Sierra Leone as the CBD National Focal Point, presented strategic intervention areas and priority recommendations to combat the biodiversity crisis in West Africa. His presentation underscored the need for expanding the ECOWAS protected area network, improving management and governance of existing protected areas, and addressing illegal exploitation of resources within these areas.
A pivotal moment came with the conclusion of the meeting, marked by a declaration urging ECOWAS Member States to develop an ECOWAS Biodiversity Strategy by 2025. This strategy, envisioned as a Regional Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (RBSAP), aims to align with global efforts to combat biodiversity loss while mainstreaming the development and updating of NBSAPs across the ECOWAS region.
The agreement reflects a united front among ECOWAS nations in addressing the biodiversity crisis and underscores the region’s commitment to implementing comprehensive measures to protect its natural heritage. With the adoption of the ECOWAS Biodiversity Strategy on the horizon, stakeholders are poised to take significant strides towards preserving West Africa’s rich biodiversity for future generations.
