Policymakers, scientists, and practitioners from seven East and Southern African countries gathered in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, for a three-day regional trialogue focused on addressing invasive alien species (IAS) and promoting sustainable wildlife use.
Hosted by Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net), the event aimed to translate global scientific knowledge into practical regional action.
Delegates from Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe discussed the significant challenges posed by IAS and the importance of sustainable wildlife use. These discussions are critical for advancing biodiversity conservation, food security, and livelihoods in the region.
Invasive alien species are recognized as a leading cause of global biodiversity loss, with detrimental impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human well-being. Teofilus Nghitila, Executive Director at Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, emphasized the importance of cost-effective prevention and management of IAS to tackle the biodiversity crisis.
Alka Bhatia, UNDP Resident Representative for Namibia, underscored the role of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management in sustainable development. “Protecting nature while ensuring communities benefit from conservation through sustainable livelihoods, equitable resource access, and resilience to environmental shocks,” she said.
Alexandra Postrigan, BES-Net’s Partnership Building and Facilitation Specialist, highlighted the trialogue’s unique opportunity to address interconnected challenges in East and Southern Africa. She stressed the importance of linking biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate change for effective and equitable conservation.
Namibia’s decision to host the regional trialogue reflects its commitment to evidence-based biodiversity conservation. The country formally joined the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in June 2023 and hosted the IPBES 11 meeting in December 2024.
This event marks a significant step towards fostering regional cooperation and developing strategies to combat IAS and promote sustainable wildlife use, contributing to the overall health of biodiversity and ecosystems in East and Southern Africa.