Introduction
The Regional Centres of Excellence initiative is funded by the European Union and implemented by CIFOR-ICRAF in collaboration with the Ecological Monitoring Centre (CSE) in West Africa, the Central Africa Forest Observatory (OFAC) in Central Africa, and the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) in Eastern and Southern Africa, among other partners.
The primary objective of the initiative is to ensure that Africa’s forests, ecosystems and biodiversity are sustainably managed through data-driven, science-backed solutions and approaches. This will enable them to continue providing essential services – such as food, water, fuel and shelter – that contribute to the well-being of local populations, while supporting rapid economic growth and development across the continent.
The Regional Centres of Excellence programme supports three Regional Centres of Excellence in Africa that are based in West Africa, Central Africa, as well as Eastern and Southern Africa. The centres are hosted by CSE, OFAC and RCMRD respectively. They strive to:
- Serve as reference points for credible data on the status of Africa’s vast environmental resources, ecosystems and rich biodiversity, which encompass forests, water bodies, and numerous plant and animal species.
- Influence policy decisions at regional and global levels to promote the sustainable management of Africa’s natural resources, ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Enhance coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, including governments, research institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and local communities, for the sustainable management of Africa’s natural resources, ecosystems and biodiversity.
Event Objective
The goal of the meeting is to chart a transformative roadmap for the sustainable management of the continent’s vast environmental resources and rich biodiversity (including forests, water bodies and wildlife) through data-driven, science-backed solutions and approaches.
