EAC calls for increased regional coordination in ecosystem conservation and management
East African Community, Dodoma, Tanzania 2nd June, 2021: The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo has called on Partner States to increase regional coordination in response to the increasing problems of the Ecosystems.
“We are all aware of the challenges the region is facing including those related to the management of natural resources and the environment”
He disclosed that in response to the increasing challenges to the management of ecosystems, Article 114 of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community, the EAC Partner States have amongst other things, agreed to adopt common policies and exchange of information on the development, conservation and management of natural resources.
Hon. Bazivamo said ecosystems support the livelihoods of a majority of people and the regional economy in general. Ecosystems provide goods and services, which include food, water, medicine, biological diversity as well as raw materials to industries, and are indeed vital to socio-economic development, added EAC Official.
The Deputy Secretary General was speaking at the EAC Regional Environmental Week (EACREW) workshop-themed “Ecosystem restoration” as part of the World Environmental Day commemorated on the 5th of June worldwide.
The EAC Official informed the participants that the region is facing numerous environmental challenges that undermine efforts to improve the quality of life of citizens and attain sustainable development objectives. These challenges include pollution, desertification, deterioration of aquatic and fresh water ecosystems, climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, pests and diseases, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.
He reiterated the commitment of the EAC to promote investment in the removal of hazard risks to humans and the environment including reduction of emerging environmental and health hazards risk in the region
On her part, Assistant Director of Pollution Control at the office of the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Ms. Kemilembe Mutasa commended the EAC Secretariat for the good work done and a well-articulated Regional Agenda that ensures environmental conservation issues are factored in the development agenda of the Region, particularly on transboundary ecosystem.
Ms. Mutasa called for the EAC Secretariat as the regional coordinator to support Partner States’ strategies particularly those that are transboundary in nature.
The four-day event will also include school competitions, tree planting as well as sports and traditional events organised by the local communities as part of the activities of the EAC Regional Environment Week.
The objective of the EACREW is to increase public awareness of the need to sustainably manage and conserve the environment and natural resources in the region.
The EACREW will also include school competitions, sports and traditional events organised by the local communities.
The EACREW will be facilitated by the support from USAID/KEA Office through Collaborative Conservation and Management of Natural Capital Programme in the EAC.
For more information, please contact:
Simon Peter Owaka
Senior Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 768 552087
Email: sowaka [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of six Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2015 Certified