Implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework: NaturAfrica, an EU Flagship for people and nature.

 

Side Event at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity – part two (CBD COP15.2)

Date: December 2022 (TBD)
Venue: Montreal, Canada and online

Organized by the European Commission and the African Wildlife Foundation

On 24 September 2022, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the EU is doubling its external funds for biodiversity, meaning that 7 billion euros will be spent on biodiversity for the period 2021- 2027. Implementation of this commitment is already starting to support partner countries in halting and reversing biodiversity loss. One of the key EU flagship is the NaturAfrica initiative.

In this framework, the European Commission and the African Wildlife Foundation are pleased to organise a high-level side event on the margins of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity – part two (CBD COP15.2). European and African leaders, representatives from Development Banks and conservation agencies will present their approach to nature conservation in the context of the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The event will be an opportunity to showcase NaturAfrica, an EU-funded initiative that supports biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in Africa through an integrated landscape approach. It is a concrete and successful example of how the Global Gateway Africa-Europe investment package contributes to the objectives of the CBD and drives the highest level of commitment for an ambitious Post 2020 GBF.

Background

The European Union’s first biodiversity conservation intervention in Africa took place more than 30 years ago, and since then the EU has supported dozens of conservation programmes all over the continent. Despite these efforts, today protecting the African flora and fauna remains a challenge. The ongoing demographic and economic trends, combined with illegal exploitation and trade of wildlife and forest products, are leading to habitat loss and ecosystem degradation, with alarming impacts on the present and future livelihoods of African communities.

Against this backdrop, in 2021 the European Union launched NaturAfrica, a flagship initiative to support biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in key landscapes and seascapes. The concept is based on the EU strategic approach for wildlife conservation in Africa (2015), and the initiative adopted a Team Europe Approach, combining the efforts of the EU and its Member States.

NaturAfrica is the product of a wide consultation of African stakeholders, including national institutions, civil society and the private sector. The initiative promotes an integrated landscape approach, in which nature conservation is combined with actions in support of local development and governance, including green job creation, development of clean energy and sustainable value chains, and improved law enforcement and security.

In the framework of the 15^th CBD Conference of the Parties and the negotiations for a Global Biodiversity Framework, the European Commission and the African Wildlife Foundation will host a side event to present NaturAfrica as a concrete response to the need to better preserve biodiversity while creating economic and social opportunities for the populations. The event will incorporate presentations from high-level representatives from the EU, African countries and implementing partners, who will expose their experiences with the implementation of landscape approaches benefiting nature and people.

Objectives

The objectives of the side event are to provide a platform for policy dialogue and knowledge sharing on the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework through approaches such as NaturAfrica, representing a positive model of international cooperation for biodiversity conservation, governance strengthening and the transition to a green economy.

The event is expected to have the following outcomes:

• Building momentum on the importance of initiatives such as NaturAfrica addressing biodiversity loss, climate change and socio-economic development through an integrated landscape approach;
• Enhancing knowledge and understanding of the interlinkages between NaturAfrica, the global commitments under the CBD, and the Post 2020 GBF objectives to secure a nature positive world by 2030;
• Sharing knowledge on how to implement the GBF in terms of nature conservation and green economic transition to improve livelihoods and foster job creation. 
   

Participants

The side event will gather country representatives, government officials, policymakers, experts, representatives of the private sector and other stakeholders. The event will also be live streamed online to engage more participants.

Tentative Agenda

Panel discussion including:
 

• Representatives from the European Commission, including Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for the Environment and Ms Carla Montesi, Director for the Green Deal and Digital Agenda at the Directorate General for International Partnerships
   
• Mr Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation
   
• African Ministers of Green Economy and Environment
   
• Mr Tosi Mpanu Mpanu, Advisor to the Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chair of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA)
   
• A high representative from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
   
• Mr Emmanuel de Mérode, Director of the Virunga National Park
   
• Q&A and Discussion with the audience

 

Host Organizations

European Commission and the African Wildlife Foundation