The Nature Conservancy and WWF have been working to advance the Southeast Angola and Source Water Conservation Planning Initiative, compiling essential data, and helping to guide government decision-making on where, why, and how to invest in impactful conservation efforts for the benefit of nature and people in Angola and beyond. In particular, we are working with the Government of Angola on establishing durable freshwater protections, including source water protection, which are among the most cost-effective and durable ways to safeguard water security and ecological functions vital to ecosystems, communities, and broader socio-economic development. As part of this initiative, we recently convened a workshop in Luanda with GABHIC (http://www.gabhic.gv.ao/pt), INRH (https://www.inrh.gv.ao/) and WWF Zambia to engage stakeholders in refining conservation plans and identifying implementation pathways. The workshop cantered on two vital mapping exercises: Terrestrial and Freshwater Conservation Values and Source Water Protection—driven by rigorous science and aligned with national priorities. Key objectives from the workshop included: 🔵 Review and Validation: Stakeholders assessed spatial mapping outputs, validating the data to ensure accuracy and identifying necessary refinements. 🔵 Action Planning: Together, we identified actions needed to successfully implement the work towards our shared vision for conservation. 🔵 Partnership Building: By fostering partnerships with institutions and organizations, we’re laying a foundation for successful implementation and shared conservation goals. GABHIC representative Carolino Mendes remarked during the workshop: "We need to act now on implementing conservation measures in Southeast Angola that balance environmental and social needs. As we move forward with our ambitious conservation agenda, we recognize that preservation of our natural resources is not just an environmental imperative but also a vital component of our national identity and shared economic future. By safeguarding our biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable management of our ecosystems, we are investing in the health and prosperity of our communities for generations to come”. Colin Apse, Africa Freshwater Strategy Director with The Nature Conservancy also emphasised, "Unlike many rivers and lakes in the world that are amongst the most degraded ecosystems, the rivers in Southeast Angola are in remarkably good ecological condition, meaning we have a unique opportunity to maintain these thriving ecosystems for the benefit of nature and people. By investing in the protection of these natural resources today, we can ensure a sustainable future for both people and wildlife in Southeast Angola and this initiative represents a significant step towards achieving that goal." This workshop stands as a key milestone, allowing valuable feedback on spatial plans as we move forward with this ambitious conservation journey.
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