Stream 1 Parallel Plenary – Promoting Effective & Well-Managed Networks of Protected & Conserved Areas in Africa

Panel 1: How effective are Protected Areas in conserving Biodiversity & ecosystem services– constraints & opportunities for management effectiveness (including representativity, connectivity)

Panel 1 of APAC stream 1 will be moderated by the IUCN WCPA Chair, Ms. Madhu Rao (tbc) who will introduce the status of P&CA effectiveness in Africa & how it relates to the Aichi targets as well as aspects of equity, fairness, participation & sustainability. This will be further developed by a TEDx talk by Leonidas Nzigiyimpa (Burundi, President of the African Network of Coaches for the Effective Management of Protected Areas) as how African experts can
share expertise & knowledge to support effective management of PAs on the continent. This will be supported by a keynote address by APAD (Dr. Charles
Musyoki, Kenya), who will discuss management effectiveness & what it means for Africa. This will include a summary of the main challenges & opportunities for management effectiveness of PAs in Africa.

There will be five panellists: Lucy Waruingi (African Conservation Centre; Kenya), Charles Karangwa (IUCN-Rwanda Office, Rwanda); Ahmed Lefghih
(Fonds Fiduciaire pour le Banc d’Arguin & la Biodiversité Côtière & Marine; Mauritania, tbc); Abilio Rachid SAID (Instituto da Biodiversidade e da Áreas Protegidas Dr. Alfredo Simão da Silva; Guinea-Bissau) & Jimmiel Mandima (IFAW). These panellists will share findings from the APAD survey on current trends in governance in Protected Areas. This will be linked to how Africa has committed to the Green List process where the Rwanda Government, other countries, governments, & partners will showcase Africa’s commitment. This will Illustrate how innovative holistic protected area management looks like in practice with lessons from over a decade of diverse & inclusive/human-rights based conservation approaches. The Greater Kruger Strategic Development Programme is an example of an integrated partnership programme to unlock meaningful rural economic development while securing the ecological health & diversity of large, natural landscapes. Other panellists will refer to the establishment of a representative & functional network of marine protected areas on at least 10% of the waters under its national jurisdiction to contribute to the conservation of marine biodiversity & the renewal of fish stocks & the need to paid attention to the issue of connectivity.

After the panelists have made their brief presentations, the audience will be able to participate in group discussions to discuss various questions & issues