The inaugural Africa Biodiversity Summit was held from November 2 to 5 in Gaborone, Botswana, marking a historic moment in Africa’s environmental diplomacy. Convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) under the theme “Leveraging Biodiversity for Africa’s Prosperity,” the summit elevated biodiversity from a conservation concern to a strategic development priority.
Leading Ethiopia’s delegation, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the African Union and UNECA, Bereket Diriba, highlighted Ethiopia’s achievements in biodiversity conservation. Notable initiatives include the Ethiopian Green Legacy Initiative, rural watershed development projects, and the Addis Ababa Riverside Project, which integrates urban development with biodiversity conservation. Additionally, Ethiopia’s efforts in ecotourism were showcased as exemplary models that ensure communities benefit from biodiversity conservation.
It is stated that under the Green Legacy Initiative, Ethiopia has planted over 48 billion tree seedlings since 2019, boosting its forest coverage from 17% in 2019 to over 23% in 2024 with the participation of over 25 million Ethiopians.
During the Summit, Ethiopia reiterates its commitment to biodiversity conservation and the goals stated in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It’s indicated that as part of its commitment, Ethiopia is actively updating its national biodiversity strategy to align with the “30 by 30” targets, aiming to protect and restore 30% of its ecosystems by 2030.
Additionally, Ethiopia’s work in conserving and protecting over 14% of its land through national parks and reserves is highlighted. It’s indicated that through the AFR100 and Bonn Challenge, Ethiopia has pledged to restore 15 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, the largest commitment in Africa.
Furthermore, to achieve shared global biodiversity conservation objectives, Ethiopia calls upon global partners to fulfill their biodiversity financing commitments: $20 billion by 2025, rising to $30 billion by 2030.
The Deputy Permanent Representative further stressed Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to biodiversity conservation as a cornerstone of sustainable development and climate resilience. He has also echoed the government’s calls upon African nations, development partners, and global stakeholders to scale up investment, share knowledge, and strengthen regional coordination to ensure that biodiversity becomes a shared pillar of prosperity and resilience across the continent.
On the sidelines of the summit, the African Wildlife Foundation, with support from the Rob Walton Foundation, launched the Africa Keystone Protected Area Partnership initiative aimed at supporting the conservation of reserves, parks and protected areas across the continent. Among the 162 most irreplaceable protected areas selected from across 33 African countries, three parks, i.e., Bale Mountains National Park, Borana National Park, and Gambela National Park are included from Ethiopia. To explore the next steps and areas of cooperation, Ethiopia’s delegation held a fruitful discussion with the Rob Walton Foundation team.
The Summit was concluded with the adoption of the Gaborone Biodiversity Declaration that reaffirms Africa’s collective commitment to conserving biodiversity as a foundation for sustainable development, ecological resilience, and inclusive growth. It also advocates for innovative financing, regional cooperation, and alignment with global frameworks such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Agenda 2063.