*Fatshimetrie: Regional centres of excellence in biodiversity and forests in sub-Saharan Africa: A promising initiative for environmental preservation*
The European Union recently announced its financial support of €80 million to support regional centres of excellence in sub-Saharan Africa. This ambitious project aims to promote effective management of biodiversity and forests in the region. This initiative, spread over a period of four years, marks a new era of collaboration in favor of the preservation of the African environment.
The official launch of this major project took place in Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday 8 October 2024. The regional centres of excellence will play a key role in producing essential information for sustainable management of natural resources in sub-Saharan Africa. Faced with the growing threat of biodiversity loss and climate change, it is becoming urgent to act in a concerted manner to protect our planet.
Robert Nasi, Director General of CIFOR-ICRAF, welcomed the start of this innovative project. According to him, it is crucial to know and understand the ecosystems that we want to preserve. This is why the establishment of these centres of excellence is of paramount importance for the future of biodiversity in Africa.
This initiative of the Regional Centres of Excellence for Biodiversity and Forests in Africa comprises three interconnected projects covering different regions of the continent. It represents a strong commitment by the European Union to the green transition in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on science, technology and innovation.
Jean-Marc Pisani, Head of the EU Delegation to Senegal, highlighted the importance of this pan-African programme which aims to promote the protection of biodiversity, oceans, agroforestry, disaster risk reduction and energy. The Centres of Excellence will serve as platforms for data exchange and expertise to better understand the environmental challenges facing Africa.
The Regional Centres of Excellence programme currently supports three centres in West Africa, Central Africa, and East and Southern Africa. These centres, hosted respectively by the CSE, OFAC and RCMRD, will play a key role in gathering information and raising awareness among policy makers on environmental issues in the region.
In conclusion, the initiative of the Regional Centres of Excellence in Biodiversity and Forests in Sub-Saharan Africa is a source of hope for the preservation of our environment. This ambitious project, supported by the European Union, marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration for sustainable management of natural resources in AfricaIt is now up to each of us to support these initiatives and commit to a greener and more sustainable future for our planet.