Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
SADC has underscored the importance of deliberating on issues affecting dryland forests, given that over 50 percent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is derived from agriculture, mining, and forestry.
Senior Programme Officer for Natural Resources and Wildlife at the SADC Secretariat, Ms Ndapanda Kanime said this at the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) that is taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA.
Ms Kanime was one of the panellists when the SADC Secretariat and Member States took part in a panel discussion during the forum on Wednesday.
She called for urgent action among stakeholders to address the threat posed by land degradation, agriculture expansion, infrastructure development and the impact of climate change, which are exerting pressure on forests, water resources and soils.
“SADC has placed sustainable natural resource management at the heart of its integration and development agenda through the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030. The SADC Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan provides a framework for integrated policy making and programme implementation,” Ms Kanime said.
The panellists stressed the need for building on the existing partnerships and momentum on forest management as a vital tool for global resilience, supporting biodiversity and climate resilience.
Participants called for South-South cooperation and investment in capacity building on dryland forest conservation and management.
SADC Member States called for intensified action to enhance communication and raise awareness on the value of forests and the need for sustainable forest management to combat climate change.
They also highlighted their continued efforts to disseminate information on national and regional forestry programmes through various media platforms, including the commemoration of the International Day of Forest, which was held on 21 March, 2025.
The region welcomed the UNFF Secretariat’s proposal to explore the possibility of making the Forest Pavilion a recurring initiative at the Conferences of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to keep the momentum in raising awareness. – @muponderichard
