UNESCO, AfriMAB embark on ecosystem restoration for sustainable development

Elias Hakizimana May 3, 2023 0 Comments

By Elias Hakizimana.

UNESCO MAB regional network for Africa, AfriMAB in partnership with Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO (CNRU) discuss the contribution of African Biosphere Reserves towards ecosystem Restoration in the context of sustainable development.

The discussions were part of a four-day AfriMAB General Assembly 2023 that is taking place in Musanze district from May 2, 2023 until May 5, 2023 with the theme: “Ecosystem Restoration in the context of sustainable development: African Biosphere Reserves leading the way towards 2030”

The General Assembly of the African Man and Biosphere Reserves Network brought together representatives of the countries (MAB national committees), of biosphere reserves (managers, stakeholders), by MAB youth representatives, as well as by resource persons related to the main theme.

“The Decade is a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world, for the benefit of people and nature. The AfriMAB aims to halt the degradation of ecosystems and restore them to achieve global goals. Only with healthy ecosystems can we enhance people’s livelihoods, counteract climate change, and stop the collapse of biodiversity.” Says Albert Mutesa, CNRU Secretary General.

**Albert Mutesa, CNRU Secretary General**

Mutesa explains that preserving and restoring ecosystem requires community participation.

He said that the uniqueness of the 7th AfriMAB General Assembly is that ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation by African countries may serve a good example and best practices to the rest of countries across the globe.

Speaking to the media during the opening ceremony of the assembly, Beatrice CYIZA, Director General, Environment and Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment in Rwanda said that the 7^th AfriMAB should remind all countries to embark on the harmony between ecosystem and human beings.

***Beatrice CYIZA, Director General, Environment and Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment.***

“The AfriMAB debates are very important towards implementing what countries committed in terms of ecosystem restoration, it is also a good opportunity to reflect on the harmony between human beings and the nature, we all need to preserve ecosystem to ensure that all living animals under the biosphere are protected,” Cyiza said, adding that there is a need for concerted efforts and partnerships with other countries to ensure sustainable ecosystem restoration.

Amid the opening day of the assembly, a center of excellence for ecosystem restoration was launched to foster scientific research on Biodiversity conservation. Before the conference comes to an end, participants will have a field visit to Volcanoes and Gishwati-Mukura Landscape Biosphere Reserve.