Business Climate Development

Kigali hosts IUCN Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) 2022

Hon B. Rwodzi sharing a lighter moment with the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia H.E. H. Dasalegn at IUCN
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The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) 2022, is currently underway in the Rwandan capital of Kigali.

The Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwe, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi is leading the Zimbabwe delegation at this ongoing congress in Rwanda.

This is the first-ever continent-wide gathering of African leaders, citizens, and interest groups to discuss the role of protected areas in conserving nature, safeguarding Africa’s iconic wildlife, delivering vital life-supporting ecosystem services, and promoting sustainable development while conserving Africa’s cultural heritage and traditions.

The overarching objective of the IUCN (APAC) is to position Africa’s protected and conserved areas within the broader goals of economic development and community well-being and to increase the understanding of the vital role parks play in conserving biodiversity and delivering the ecosystem that underpins human welfare and livelihoods.

The Deputy Minister had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Wildlife and Tourism Kenya Hon C.L. Balala at the sidelines of the APAC conference in Kigali, Rwanda. The two Ministers agreed to have a Ministers-only meeting for Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, and Tanzania on the 10th of September 2022, to discuss and agree on issues of wildlife management before CITES. The IFAW Vice President Mr. J. Mandima who was also in attendance indicated that he will work to ensure that the meeting takes place.

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Byron Adonis Mutingwende