Patrick Karani (ELP 2003) | Director, BEA International and Technical Expert (Environment, Climate Change, Blue Economy), AU-IBAR, Kenya

INTRODUCTION

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a technical office mandated to support and coordinate the sustainable development and use of animal resources including livestock, fisheries and wildlife for economic, food and nutritional security. AU-IBAR supports and empowers African States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in taking actions related to animal health including one health, control and eradication of transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses, capacity building, veterinary governance, management. In the context of enhancing partnerships, collaborations and networks, the Germany Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), a global project Catalyzing Transformation towards Sustainable Livestock Systems (LIVESYs) was commissioned for a period starting from 2024 to 2027. The project aims at supporting key players at global, regional and national levels to increase support for financing and development of policy instruments for the transformation of agricultural and food systems towards sustainable livestock systems, protecting climate change and biodiversity. LIVESYs partners participate in the Africa Food Systems Forum to strengthen advocacy and position sustainable livestock systems in the wider discussion around transformation of agricultural food systems. The LIVESYs is a joint project of AU-IBAR, ILRI and CIAT. The partners are supported to attend CBD COP-16 in Cali, Colombia to raise awareness on the project and enhance advocacy roles to strengthen position on sustainable livestock management in global discussions and making suggestions on how the process could contribute to achieving the COP16 goal of Peace with Nature.

OVERVIEW OF CBD COP-16

The discussions were undertaken over a period of two weeks ranging from 16th October to 2nd November 2024. Critical issues discussed included and not limited to Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) monitoring framework, Digital Sequencing Information (DSI), Resource Mobilization, Modification of descriptions of ecologically or biologically significant Marine Areas and description of New Marine Areas among other topics.

AU-BAR PARTICIPATION

The Nature Investment Facility: mobilizing resources to reduce the biodiversity funding gaps and effectively implement the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF); Mangrove Conservation and Restoration maximizing synergies with climate change control, disaster risk and poverty reduction for coastal communities; and mobilizing the biodiversity-related Conventions on the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The input on sustainable livestock management in the context of biodiversity conservation and climate change resiliency, adaptation actions and mitigation measures, is a technical issue. AU-IBAR provides leadership for the development of animal resources for Africa through supporting and empowering 55 AU Member Countries and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The efforts are to achieve aspects of free from hunger and reduce poverty in which animal resources including livestock, fisheries and wildlife make a significant contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and sustainability would ensure peace with nature. Africa has a population of 1.5 billion people that is about 18.3% of the global population. The growth rate is about 2.3% per year which means about 100 million people every three years. About 60-70% of the population cannot afford 2 USD a day and live below poverty level

In tackling hunger and poverty, translating technical recommendations informed by scientific research and data into national, regional and continental policies, strategies, actions and practices are necessary to achieve real impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people dependent on animal resources.

The GIZ, ILRI, CIAT and AU-IBAR pursue development and promotion of common African positions within international treaties and conventions that would endeavor to promote production and productivity of animal resources without compromising environmental sustainability and climate change. There is a need to support research that would help to improve the understanding of the linkages between animal feeding practices and methane emissions that are potential threats to global warming and disturbing peace with nature.

The Animal Genetic Resources project supported by the EU in 2013-2018, aimed at facilitating and tracking implementation of the Global Plan of Action for sustainable use of animal genetic resources in Africa. Africa experienced inadequate data and limited capacity required to formulate and implement policies and strategies for the management of animal genetic resources and creating awareness for inclusion into national and regional investment priorities.

At the regional level faced with issues of transboundary animal breeds, the project harmonized national and regional policies. At the national level the project-built capacity to formulate policies, strategies and action plans ensures mainstreaming of animal genetic resources in sectors including local communities’ interests and concerns since they are the most vulnerable due to inadequate capacity, limited knowledge, inadequate skills and financial constraints. The CIAT campus in Cali, Colombia is an indicator of capacity building to bridge the gaps in restoration of plant genetic resources. The genetic resources are collected from all over the world and stored from medium to long term and made available and accessible to any one in need at no cost.

The role of livestock in the protection of biodiversity, promoting sustainable practices for resilient food systems, and building partnerships to advance a balanced narrative around livestock and biodiversity can be understood in the following questions:

1. Why is livestock important to consider in sustainable use of biodiversity?
2. How can we balance the narrative and see livestock as part of the solution and not only a problem? What needs to change within livestock as well as within biodiversity circles?
3. How can we ensure that livestock is better incorporated into the Global Biodiversity Framework, National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plans (NBSAPs), etc? What steps need to be taken? and,
4. How do we move forward – what are bold actions necessary? What partnerships are necessary?

Strategic intervention is to bring livestock to biodiversity discussion and should start by recognizing, acknowledging and engaging local communities that are part and parcel of livestock that supports their livelihood. An integrated approach is critical to establishing a coexistence mechanism that would encourage communities to conserve biodiversity which in most cases is the lifeline of livestock. Climate resilience and adaptation measures are equally important and should be part of broader discussion involving livestock and biodiversity. The issue of population growth with a global rate of 2.7% per year is a threat to biodiversity conservation, food security and nutrition as well as peace with nature.

The Critical Role of Digital Sequencing Information (DSI) and a Traditional Knowledge (TK) in African Livestock Conservation and Sustainable Development.

The practical steps are African countries are taking to integrate livestock into biodiversity policies, and how might these approaches be scaled or adapted for broader use include recognizing, acknowledging and engaging local communities in raising awareness and understanding why livestock plays a critical role in transforming their lives and supporting their livelihoods and at the same time livestock cannot be sustained with diminishing biodiversity hence need for conservation, restoration, protection and management of biodiversity that includes community participatory initiatives. At the national level translating technical recommendations into policy articulation and formulation. There is a need to have scientific research that generates relevant data to inform policy articulation that would support integration of livestock management into biodiversity conservation. The issues of inadequate capacity, knowledge and skills gaps, limited finance and inappropriate Technology Development and Transfer require significant attention and provide solutions. At regional levels, there is a need to harmonize policies, strategies and action plans that tackle issues of transboundary livestock and breeds. At Continental and International levels, supporting Member States to develop common positions that would articulate the discussions on integrating livestock management into biodiversity conservation, climate change resilience, adaptation actions and mitigation measures would contribute to peace with nature.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In conclusion, the discussion on mainstreaming livestock into the GBF and integrating into biodiversity conservation requires continuous efforts and providing the leadership to leverage on current practices of supporting the Member States in developing common positions reflecting a unified Continental approach. Recommendations would include the following:

1. Continuous engagement with local communities on a participatory basis to create awareness, recognize indigenous knowledge on livestock management and biodiversity conservation, climate change resilience, adaptation actions and mitigation measures.
2. Building capacity to bridge knowledge and skills gaps and enhance the understanding of the role of livestock management and biodiversity conservation in a balanced ecosystem.
3. Translating technical scientific information into policy articulation at national levels and harmonizing policies, strategies and action plans at regional levels that would address transboundary livestock breeds, animal health and conservation of biodiversity.
4. Supporting the development of common positions at continental levels that represent one voice on livestock management and biodiversity conservation and with the view of establishing Communities of Practice (CoP) to build linkages with key institutions and maintain the momentum.
5. Establishing synergies at international levels that would create linkages between global conventions in particular, CBD, UNFCCC (Paris Agreement-NDCs), Combating Desertification among others and encourage information sharing, application of Best Practices and Lessons Learnt.

Blog photos provided by blog author, Patrick Karani.