Gaborone: The African Union Commission (AUC) has officially launched the Inaugural Africa Biodiversity Summit at the Royal Aria Convention Centre in Gaborone, Botswana. The summit, held from 2-3 November 2025, brought together delegates from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), United Nations agencies, research institutions, development partners, civil society, and youth organizations.
According to African Press Organization, the summit, held under the theme “Leveraging Biodiversity for Africa’s Prosperity,” aims to elevate biodiversity from a conservation issue to a strategic development priority, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of a prosperous, climate-resilient Africa. The event addresses the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, highlighting Africa’s natural heritage as a socio-economic transformation driver.
The gathering marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s commitment to preserving its biodiversity as the foundation of its development, sovereignty, and climate resilience. Mr. Harsen Nyambe, Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the African Union Commission, emphasized the need for collective action to safeguard Africa’s natural wealth in his opening remarks.
H.E. Ambassador Miguel César Domingos Bembe, Permanent Representative of Angola to the African Union and UNECA, and Chairperson of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), reiterated the call for unity in protecting Africa’s ecological heritage. “Defending biodiversity is also defending the sovereignty of our peoples, the food security of our communities, and the prosperity of future generations,” Ambassador Bembe stated.
Ambassador Bembe praised the Government and People of Botswana for hosting the Summit, describing Botswana as a land where harmony between humanity and nature serves as an inspiration to the continent. He emphasized that the discussions in Gaborone would establish a shared vision for biodiversity governance across Africa.
Mr. Boatametse Modukanele, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Botswana, expressed pride in hosting the summit, noting the importance of translating scientific knowledge into actionable policies. He highlighted African leadership through initiatives like the African Union Green Recovery Action Plan, the Pan-African Great Green Wall Initiative, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The summit’s technical segment sets the stage for developing an African Leaders Gaborone Declaration on Biodiversity, guiding Africa’s engagement in global biodiversity dialogues. The event reaffirms a shared vision to protect Africa’s biodiversity as a cornerstone of its identity, resilience, and sustainable future.
The technical segment also focused on revitalizing the Maputo Convention on Nature and Natural Resources, underscoring the need for a dynamic legal framework for Africa’s environmental governance. The ministerial and heads of state sessions of the First Africa Biodiversity Summit will be held from 4-5 November 2025.