A symposium held in late June has focused on biodiversity’s role as an engine for sustainable economic development in Africa.

Organized by Conservation International, titled “Defying Nature’s End: the African context,” was held from 20-24 June 2006 in Madagascar. It was attended by government officials and representatives of international organizations, conservation groups and local communities, including President Marc Ravalomanana of Madagascar and Jeffrey Sachs, head of the UN Millennium Project. The symposium examined how biodiversity can be conserved and become an engine for economic development in Africa. The final declaration calls for creating and expanding markets for Africa’s nature, such as ecotourism and carbon trading. Other necessary steps include: expanding protected area networks and creating sustainable financing mechanisms; protecting and restoring key ecological systems linked to freshwater supply and quality; providing economic incentives for local communities to manage their forests and other natural resources sustainably; ensuring that government spending on poverty reduction is based on environmental sustainability; including the business community in seeking solutions to environmental degradation caused by industrial development; and prioritizing sustainable agriculture practices and alternatives to fuelwood and charcoal as energy sources.

Link to further information
Conservation International press release (24 June 2006)