The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the French Government have agreed to host the 2020 IUCN World Conservation Congress from September 3-11, 2021 in Marseille. The event, originally scheduled for June 2020, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a reminder, the IUCN World Conservation Congress brings together the global conservation community, including top international experts in conservation science, policy and practice. Held every four years, the Congress enables IUCN’s 1,400 Member organizations, including States, civil society and indigenous peoples, to democratically determine the most pressing nature conservation issues, as well as the actions to be taken to respond to them.
During this Congress, on September 5, 2021, His Excellency Ambassador of Burundi n Paris Mr. Ernest NIYOKINDI declared that the “Responsible and Laborious Government” resulting from the 2020 elections is at the service of the Nation in order to promote the development of all Burundians under the slogan: “Each mouth must have food and each pocket must have money”.
On the diplomatic level, he said that Burundi welcomes the opening to the outside world and in particular the lifting on November 4, 2021 of the restrictive measures that had been taken by the Francophonie since 2015 against Burundi. He congratulated the organizers of this Congress for their dedication and diligence in organizing this important event in this difficult time of the COVI-19 pandemic. Ambassador Ernest NIYOKINDI also said that this congress was held in the beautiful moments when the whole world is facing climate change and all the countries including Burundi that he represents in France would spare no effort to take initiatives to conserve nature.
With regard to Burundi, the Government welcomes the step already taken in nature conservation despite some challenges. Globally, Burundi has ratified several conventions and protocols related to biodiversity, nature and climate: CBD, UNFCCC, etc. For example, in the context of contributing to the Bonn Challenge in connection with the restoration of forest landscapes, Burundi has made a commitment to restore 2000ha. Thus, a national program called “Ewe Burundi urambaye”, which means , “WELL DRESSED BURUNDI” is in the process of being implemented. About 1 billion tree seedlings have already been planted across the country during the 3 years (2018-2021). The Government salutes the various national and international partners for their support.
According to Ambassador Ernest NIYOKINDI, Burundi is politically committed to ensuring ecologically sustainable and socially equitable development with solutions based on nature as evidenced by the National Development Plan 2018-2027 (PND2018-2027), particularly at the level of Strategic Orientation 3: Ensure sustainable management of the environment, mitigate climate change and improve land use planning. This strategic orientation has 4 axes of intervention: sustainable management of the environment, water resources and global sanitation, climate change and risk management and land use planning.
Burundi has 14 protected areas (parks, nature reserves, lakes, protected landscapes and natural monuments) these areas are home to a significant diversity, endemic species, exceptional tourist attractions, etc. These areas are surrounded by local communities in need of technical and financial support in order to participate in their conservation.
Ambassador Ernest NIYOKINDI also reaffirmed Burundi’s commitment to the conservation of nature and its resources for current and future generations and he called on technical and financial partners to support Burundi in the implementation of its PND 2018-2027 which reserves an important place for sustainable development respectful of nature and communities.
