Africa is estimated to host more than a quarter of the world’s remaining biodiversity and hence is critical to achieving the goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Conservation requires people and about 70% of the African population is comprised of young people under the age of 35, emphasizing their significant role in biodiversity conservation efforts.

This side event will present the outcomes of the 2nd Annual African Youth Summit on Biodiversity (AYSB2023) held under the theme “From Awareness to Action: Empowering African Youth for Biodiversity Conservation”, presenting African youth needs in terms of enhanced youth participation in monitoring and reporting of the implementation of the framework, and increased Youth participation in biodiversity conservation and related decision-making processes.

It will also showcase proposals for concrete, tangible youth-led actions that contribute to conservation efforts across the African continent selected based on the Summit’s call for Proposals for Youth-Led Innovative Projects to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Panelists and Partners:

• Global Youth Biodiversity Network - Africa (GYBN Africa): Irene Natukunda
• African Wildlife Foundation (AWF): Vice President, Global Leadership - Fred Kumah
• Expertise France (Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU Support): Team Leader - Hugo Rivera

• Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Kenya: (CBD Liaison/Focal Point - Dr. Lucy Wambui Ng’ang’a