Proceedings of the webinar on revival of efforts for nomination of Mt. Elgon as a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve

Abstract

This is a summary of an online meeting held on the 22nd/07/2020 between stakeholders from Uganda and Kenya in the reactivation process of nomination of Mt. Elgon as a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. A total of 22 participants attended, 16 from Uganda and 6 from Kenya. The understanding is in line with UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategy for 2014- 2021 that includes the promotion of scientific collaboration internationally and regionally and to strengthen the interface between science, policy and society. The importance of science, technology and innovation for poverty eradication and sustainable development is also highlighted. UNATCOMS strategic plan 2018-2025 in the field of Natural science focuses on biodiversity and ecology, fresh water, basic science, earth science, renewable energy, science policy and sustainable development, engineering sciences and natural disaster reduction. The implementation of UNATCOM Programs in the Strategic Plan 2007-2017 in Natural Sciences enabled the mapping and nomination of 20 Natural Sites for designation by UNESCO as Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks. Currently there are only 2 biosphere reserves in Uganda namely Queen Elizabeth and Mount Elgon Biosphere Reserves. An opportunity exists for a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (TBR), but for almost a decade now, the various attempts to have the TBR remained unfulfilled. A TBR is an official recognition at the international level and by UN institutions of a political will to co-operate in the conservation and sustainable use, through common management, of a shared ecosystem. It also represents a commitment of two or more countries to apply together the Seville Strategy for biosphere reserves and its objectives. Borders are usually just political rather than ecological, therefore one can often find ecosystems across national boundaries. Transboundary biosphere reserves recognize this and provide a tool for common management. In Africa there are three TBRS, one between Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, another between Mauritania and Senegal and the third one between Benin and Togo.