Environmental activist Vladmir Russo recently stated in Luanda that the main global target for conservation areas is the so-called 30×30 goal, which envisions 30% of Angola’s territory being designated as conservation areas by 2030 in order to protect biodiversity.
According to Russo, who was speaking during the 2nd National Dialogue Workshop on Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), Angola currently has 13% of its terrestrial territory and 0% of its marine territory under conservation.
“It’s clear that we won’t reach 30% by 2030, but we have to move toward that goal. We do, however, have a long-term strategy that extends to 2050, and we can aim to reach 30% by then,” the environmentalist stated.
Russo noted that some processes for creating conservation areas are currently stalled. For this reason, discussions are being held with various partners in government, civil society, and academia to identify areas within the national territory that meet the OECM criteria.
He recalled that the Angolan government has so far created only three conservation areas: Kumbira Forest, Serra do Pingano, and Morro do Moco—which, according to Vladmir, is “far too little given the vast territory and the richness the country possesses.”
“We are here looking for other alternatives and options that will allow us to better conserve our territory—both land and sea. The OECMs are a recommendation from the Convention on Biological Diversity, to which Angola is a signatory, and they will help us meet the global targets,” he explained.
Russo also mentioned that the marine area currently under consideration by the government is the Namibe Reserve, which comprises about nine square kilometers off the coast of Iona National Park.
On the other hand, the environmentalist highlighted the main challenges faced in existing conservation areas, particularly related to management due to a lack of human and financial resources.
Source: Forbes África Lusófona
