Indicate which actions have been carried out to implement this Resolution :
Convene stakeholders/Networking
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
Describe the results/achievements of the actions taken:
An online survey was circulated BY IUCN Secretariat to IUCN constituents across the region to discover some more about the initiatives being undertaken, get feedback on how a One Programme Initiative should be designed, and identify individuals and organisations who want to play a part in this process. The survey received 30 responses, from 8 countries, and documented initiatives (from site-level to regional) ranging across the spectrum of economic uses for wildlife. Respondents indicated plans to expand the scope of these initiatives and they saw value in an IUCN One Programme that could convene constituents, provide training and learning opportunities, and conduct policy advocacy at a national and regional level.
Through the direct engagement of IUCN constituents across the region, we have a better understanding of the types of wildlife economy projects that are been undertaken, and a sense of the major gaps. We have also been able to narrow the focus of the resolution to specific strengths of the IUCN in leveraging relevant networks across the region to pick up on the implementation of recommendations from a range of research initiatives.
2023:
IUCN ESARO have, with support from the USAID-funded CONNECT and the EU-funded BIOPAMA programmes, worked with WWF and African Leadership University on wildlife economy studies for Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan; and recommendations on wildlife economy have been integrated into the EAC Wildlife Conservation Strategy and the State of Protected and Conserved Areas (SoPACA) report. There is a large element of strengthening and upscaling marine-coastal biodiversity economies in ESARO’s Great Blue Wall. IUCN ESARO have been attending meetings of the ALU-AWF led working group on Wildlife Economy and will continue to participate in the evolving community of practice of the Wildlife Economy.
IUCN CEM: "Our efforts as detailed in the 2021 report are ongoing with the main thrust being the provision of information via our multilingual Portal: www.naturalliance.org which now includes several major African languages. We would like to find volunteers to contribute to the translation effort, specifically in additional African languages".
IUCN ESARO helped to organise a Pre-forum workshop on Leveraging the Wildlife Economy at the June 2024 Africa Regional Conservation Forum in Nairobi Kenya. This well attended by IUCN members and practitioners from across the continent. The event came up with recommendations and conclusions which were as follows and which were fed into the the discussions at the main conservation Forum:
• Benefits for People and Wildlife: The initiative should focus on benefiting both people and wildlife, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to community well-being and environmental conservation.
• African Leadership and Ownership: The wildlife economy must be led and owned by Africans, emphasizing the importance of local leadership and management skills.
• Integrating Nature's Value in Economics: Nature's intrinsic value should be factored into all economic decisions, ensuring sustainable and environmentally conscious practices
What challenges/obstacles have been encountered in the implementation of this Resolution and how were they overcome :
Despite much recent research attention on the wildlife economy in East and Southern Africa there have been challenges in turning research into a cohesive programme, partly because the One Programme concept is not well understood among IUCN constituents
Furthermore, the passing of Resolution 076 by IUCN members in 2020, there has been an explosion of research into the wildlife economy in the region, with some key players - such as the African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation - producing some excellent primary research on the broad topic. Much of this activity has focused on research and there has been less attention on the implementation of active projects. As a result, the core team has shifted the emphasis very firmly on how the IUCN (in all its parts) could support the initiation of new wildlife economy projects, and knowledge exchange between existing ones.
Briefly describe what future actions are needed for the implementation of this Resolution:
Encourage IUCN constituents to implement more wildlife economy projects, building on solid knowledge base generated so far. Promote Res076 / wildlife economy on internet platforms (e.g., BIOPAMA’s Regional Resource Hub). Disseminate research recommendations directly to target audiences (policy makers, implementers). Access existing networks (e.g., SADC TFCA network) to stay abreast of new initiatives and make connections between implementers.
The main activities continue to be driven by members and strategic partners like African Leadership University and ESARO is engaging with these members regularly to assess opportunities ESARO secretatiat to support and amplify these efforts.
Are these actions planned for yet:
