This week, African leaders are gathering in the Rwandan capital for the first-ever continental-level gathering to outline plans to protect Africa’s wildlife.
The IUCN African Congress on Protected Areas (Apac) in Kigali will bring together nearly 3,000 delegates, including protection area directors from 54 countries on the continent, youth leaders, and representatives of indigenous peoples and communities, to discuss the role of protected areas in conserving nature, promoting sustainable development, and protecting wildlife on the continent.
The gathering, led by Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, will set out long-term strategies for stopping and reversing the fast-paced loss of species and habitats across Africa’s 8,500-plus protected areas, which cover 14% of the land area and 17% of its marine areas. According to a United Nations report, 6,419 animal species and 3,148 plant species are threatened with extinction across Africa.