Training workshop brings biodiversity experts to Arusha to discuss compliance and enforcement of multilateral environmental agreements

To strengthen the knowledge of personnel in charge of compliance with and enforcement of multilateral environment agreements, specifically in the biodiversity cluster, the African Hub organized a training session with participation from African Union member states and Regional Economic Communities in Arusha, Tanzania on 24 and 25 August 2017.

The training especially focused on key biodiversity MEAs such as the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

The participants identified great potential for regional collaboration and increased role of the RECs and AUC in the areas of resource mobilization, regional policy development (including the creation and support of regional MEAs), information sharing, high-level advocacy (e.g. in the form of a high-profile champion on biodiversity), transboundary issues, coordination of concurrent activities, etc. In addition, the participants agreed on the idea of creating a knowledge network on biodiversity for experts and practitioners in Africa.

Moving forward, the Africa Hub will take the lead in developing a training manual on compliance and enforcement that will be disseminated within Member states and Regional Economic Communities.