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Sustainable management of Africa's forest could secure climate resilient future
The Xinhua news agency reported, experts said on Monday that sustainable management of Africa's vast forest resources has the potential to secure a climate resilient future for local communities reeling from negative impacts of global warming.
The Xinnua mentioned, the experts who spoke at a virtual forum convened by Nairobi-based African Forest Forum (AFF) said the continent should leverage its tropical and dryland forest cover to promote climate mitigation and adaptation.
Godwin Kowero, executive secretary of African Forest Forum, said that besides acting as carbon sinks, the continent's forested landscapes if sustainably utilized are key to eradicating rural poverty, food insecurity and water stress.
Kowero said: "Sustainable management, use and conservation of Africa's forest and tree resources should underpin efforts to reduce poverty, promote gender equality, economic and social development and protect the environment."
According to the Xinhua, more than 100 participants including policy makers, scientists and conservationists are participating in the webinar on contribution of forests and dryland resources in building climate resilient communities in Africa taking place from Sept. 6 to 8.
It said, participants drawn from English speaking African nations are expected to share knowledge, expertise, best practices and experiences that can be harnessed to boost the contribution of forests towards the continent's green agenda.
In addition, delegates who are participating in the three-day webinar will discuss findings of a study conducted in a dozen African countries to explore policy and forest governance processes and their impact on climate response.
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Kowero said that evaluating how African countries had integrated their forestry policies with multilateral climate agreements was key to promote sustainable management of vital ecosystems.
He added that sustaining the health of African forests while ensuring they serve as carbon sinks was dependent on policy reforms and adequate financing towards their conservation.
Raphael Tihelwa Chibunda, vice-chancellor, Sokoine University of Agriculture based in Tanzania noted that sustainable utilization of tropical forests has gained traction in Africa amid quest for green, inclusive growth.
He said the continent should invest in capacity development, training, appropriate technologies in order to boost conservation of forests, secure livelihoods for local communities and minimize impacts of climatic shocks.
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Cliff Sibusiso Dlamini, executive director of Center for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa said that improved forest governance in Africa will unleash multiple health, economic and social benefits for local communities.
Dlamini urged harmonization of policies and legislation to ensure that forestry related climate adaptation and mitigation programs create impact across different economic sectors.
Source: xinhua
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Amid growing anxiety among several European countries participating in NATO over Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated he looks forward to sitting down with Trump.
Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.
Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.
On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.
It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.
Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.
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