The Future of Biodiversity in
Africa: Turning Dar Vision
Statement into Policy Initiatives
Discussion - Society for Conservation
Biology-Africa Conference, Ghana
Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG)
www.abcg.org
Background on the Dar Vision Statement
Through the USAID Biodiversity Analysis and Technical
Support (BATS) for USAID/Africa, ABCG organized a series of
workshops in Africa and the U.S. on
“The Future of Biodiversity in Africa”:
• 15 May 2008 ABCG Workshop in Washington, DC, USA
• 17 -19 Sept. 2008 IUCN/ABCG Workshop in Dar es Salaam, TZ
• 8 Dec. 2008 National Council for Science & the Environment (NCSE)
Session in Washington, DC, USA
• 30 Jan. 2009 Society for Conservation Biology-Africa in Accra, Ghana
• opportunities
Dar Workshop
• Draws upon USAID report : “Protecting Hard-Won Ground”
• Brought 35 experts from across sub-Saharan Africa together
to review achievements in biodiversity conservation, scan
the horizon for emerging challenges, and articulate a vision
statement for the future of biodiversity in Africa
Goal: To provide input into donor programs on the linkages
between biodiversity, well-being, and emerging challenges
Biodiversity: Fundamental Basis for
Development and Underpins Well-Being
Threats:
-swelling human demand for resources
-inadequate institutional infrastructure
-destruction of natural areas
-climate change
-globalization of trade
-externalities
Opportunities:
-significant areas in Africa where
habitat is intact
-conservation success
-innovation
Dar Vision Statement:
Future of Biodiversity in Africa
By 2025, environmental degradation and biodiversity
loss in Africa have been significantly slowed, people
and nature are adapting to climate change, and
species and ecosystem services are providing a
foundation for human welfare in a society committed
to sustainable economic development and equitable
sharing of natural resource benefits.
Dar Recommendations
• Mainstream Biodiversity in Human Well-Being
and Development Agendas
• Promote Good Conservation Practices
• Strengthen the Role of Social and Development
Institutions in Biodiversity Conservation and
Human Well-Being
Mainstream Biodiversity in Human WellBeing & Development Agendas
1. Promote climate change mitigation, and climate
adaptation for biodiversity and people
2. Harness biodiversity and ecosystem services for improved
agriculture
3. Enhance greater accountability for sustaining biodiversity
and ecosystem services by private sector institutions
4. Promote restoration of degraded natural resources
5. Enhance the role of healthy ecosystems in mitigating risk
of emerging diseases
6. Promote increased understanding and awareness of
biodiversity and environmental issues
Promote Good Conservation Practices
1. Promote conservation of existing biodiversity
2. Promote sound nature tourism development
3. Demonstrate biodiversity and ecosystem services
as fundamental bases of human well-being
4. Promote sound governance & rights-based
approaches
5. Promote innovative conservation funding
mechanisms
Strengthen Role of Social Institutions
in Conservation & Human Well-Being
1. Reach out to faith communities for dialogue and
collaboration
2. Reach out to relief and development organizations
for mitigating impacts of migration and natural
population growth
Next Steps
• Feedback from SCB Experts on Dar Vision Statement
• What is the future of biodiversity in Africa (given
the best or the worst scenarios)?
• How to call upon donors and partners to realize the
Dar Vision and catalyze policy initiatives on
biodiversity?
Thanks for helping to turn the Dar Vision
into Policy Interventions!
Contact:
Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG)
nancy.gelman@wwfus.org
www.abcg.org
Photo credits:
USAID
Ephraim Mwangomo
Michael Gelman
John Waugh
College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka
WWF-US