The Gabon has taken a significant step towards its future, with the recent completion of the National Validation Workshop for the 2022-2030 Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (SPANB). The event marked an important milestone in the country’s efforts to protect its forests, coastlines, and wildlife.
The SPANB is a comprehensive plan aimed at conserving 30% of the territory, restoring degraded ecosystems, reducing threats to biodiversity such as deforestation and pollution, and mobilizing sustainable funding for conservation. The plan aligns with the international commitments made by 196 countries under the Kunming-Montréal Accord.
The SPANB has been consolidated after incorporating the latest recommendations from stakeholders and will be submitted to the Government for final validation. It will then be deposited at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) to officially commit the Gabon to international efforts in biodiversity conservation.
For Mme Tsayi Mouvagha, coordinator of the strategy, the next step is to educate the public about the plan through administrations, private sector, communities, and civil society to ensure its operational deployment nationwide.
The Gabon is considered a country with high biodiversity value, with 88% forest coverage and 13 national parks. The SPANB aims to balance economic development, resource exploitation, and conservation.
However, the question of funding remains crucial. Without a dedicated budget and genuine involvement from local authorities, businesses, and communities, the plan risks being an empty shell.