New plan will help drive Africa’s contribution to the United Nations' 30x30 Biodiversity Goal—to protect 30% of the planet’s land and sea by 2030

[New York, NY] African Parks, a South African based conservation NGO, currently managing over 49 million acres in partnership with governments and communities in 12 countries in Africa, today set out a $1 billion action plan to scale conservation efforts across the continent, before the end of the decade in 6 years.

Making the announcement at the Concordia Summit in New York, African Parks CEO Peter Fearnhead said, “If we are going to deliver the globally agreed 30x30 target, we must urgently accelerate conservation efforts across the continent. The action plan we are setting out today will enable us to scale up existing efforts to manage 30 of Africa’s most critical protected areas by the end of the decade; invest in developing the next generation of African leaders in protected area management; and empower a coalition of partners to build a sustainable network of protected areas, ensuring we meet our shared goals.”

For nearly 25 years, African Parks has been utilizing a holistic approach to conserving Africa’s biodiversity, safeguarding vast landscapes and carrying out the necessary activities needed to ensure these protected areas continue to provide benefits to people and wildlife. African Parks currently works in 12 countries in Africa and manages 22 protected areas on the continent - equivalent to 59% of the US National Parks Service. The organization maintains a strong focus on economic development to ensure that each park is ecologically, socially, and financially sustainable in the long-term.

CEO Peter Fearnhead added, “This is not just about conserving biodiversity and the environment. It’s about securing the future for the millions of people who rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods. We want to invest in a future where Africa’s vital biodiversity flourishes, where protected areas are managed sustainably, and where local communities thrive.”

African Parks’ commitment to managing 30 of Africa’s most critical protected areas by the end of the decade aligns with the United Nations 30 X 30 Biodiversity Goal – to conserve 30% of the planet’s land and sea by 2030. By working in partnership with like-minded individuals and organizations, African Parks will build a collation of partners to build a sustainable network of protected areas ensuring they meet a shared goal for Africa.

Some of the key elements of the one billion dollar action plan include: Protected Area Management which will be financially scalable across any landscape, and immediate in delivering environmental impact for generations to come. The objective is to conserve Africa’s natural heritage, provide essential ecosystem services and create jobs and economic opportunities for people across the continent.

Earlier this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, African Parks launched the Verifiable Nature Unit [VNU]  in partnership with The Landbanking Group, which is a revolutionary outcomes based funding mechanism for nature conservation. The VNU’s will transform conservation into a competitive form of land-use creating sustainable income while ensuring the long-term protection of critical ecosystems.  Another key component of the commitment is the Rhino Rewild Initiative - also launched at the World Economic Forum – to rewild 2000 rhinos, which will enhance biodiversity, support nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration and help create sustainable tourism opportunities.

The one billion dollar commitment will also support the African Parks Conservation Academy, ensuring the next generation of conservationists will be well prepared to protect Africa’s vital biodiversity and drive meaningful change. 

Matthew Swift, Co-founder, President & CEO, Concordia. "Since our early years, Concordia has made conservation a prominent part of our flagship agenda. This incredible one billion dollar action plan from African Parks marks an important milestone in that programming, announced today at the 14th Concordia Annual Summit in New York. This proves yet again that our convening power has the ability to turn dialogue into meaningful impact."

In closing, African Parks CEO Peter Fearnhead said, “As the world grapples with the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, Africa’s vast landscapes and rich ecosystems hold the key to a sustainable future. Join us in this crucial mission to protect and restore the critical biodiversity Africa supports.”

For further information please visit: https://www.africanparks.org

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