Leaders from several African countries will, for the first time, share good experiences in managing natural parks and other protected areas. Organized by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the 1st Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) will take place at the Nairobi National Park, Kenya, from 18 to 23 November.
The organizers wish to reunite about 2,000 delegates, who will discuss local ways to ensure a sustainable future for protected areas. During the event will be presented practical, innovative, sustainable and replicable solutions that can harmonize conservation and the sustainable human development.
“This landmark forum provides us with a platform for holding honest discussions on the future we want for our protected areas and seek solutions to the persistent and emerging problems” , stated the Kenya’s Tourism and Wildlife Principal Secretary, Dr. Margaret Mwakima.
“We need to come to a common understanding that human beings can live with animals and take care of each other to save biodiversity. As a continent, we can offer resilience, adaptability and tackle climate change to protect our biodiversity” added the secretary.
29 of the 54 countries in Africa have national parks. There are 268 national parks on the continent. Kenya (23), Zambia (20) and South Africa (19) are the countries with the most national parks. However, the APAC organization wishes to include, in addition to these parks, other types of protected areas. Funding, political support, climate issues, and governance will be among the topics to be discussed during the congress.