Sunday, August 2, 2015
EAC secretary general Richard Sezibera.
Arusha. The East African
Community (EAC) says it is committed to effective management of the
natural resources the region is endowed with for the wellbeing of the
present and future generations.
“The natural resources
play a vital role in the wellbeing of the communities and the economies
of the countries in the region,” said EAC secretary general Richard
Sezibera.
He was speaking in Arusha during the signing
of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the EAC and the Albertine
Rift Conservation Society (Arcos). The pact aims to enhance joint
efforts in natural resources management and transboundary ecosystems in
the region.
Arcos is a regional non-governmental
established in 1995 with the mission to enhance biodiversity
conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources through the
promotion of collaborative conservation action for nature and people.
Currently
the Uganda-based network has programmes extending beyond the Albertine
Rift — the western arm of the Great Rift Valley cutting through the
fresh water lakes in western Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi through to Lake
Tanganyika. Programmes currently under implementation include the Great
Lakes Freshwater Ecosystems Programme and the African Mountains
Programme, both targeting to protect the rich biodiversity of the region
for sustainable use.
“We really recognise what Arcos
has been doing and we have common interests especially in natural
resources management. Our collaboration is a landmark to ensure the
healthy environment and the wellbeing of the present and future
generations of the communities,” Dr Sezibera pointed out.
Speaking
after signing of the MoU, Arcos executive director Dr Sam Kanyamibwa
said he collaboration entered into by the two parties will mainly focus
on the the preservation of the transboundary ecosystem in the region.
“The
signing of the agreement constitutes also an indicative example of
needed partnership between government institutions and civil society
organisations in the management of our natural resources”, he said,
emphasizing that a healthy environment was essential for sustainablility
and the equitable access of the natural resources to the local
communities.
According to Mr Gilbert Muvunankiko, the
regional communication officer with Arcos, projects under joint
implementation with EAC have focussed on promoting sustainable mountain
development, information sharing, civil society engagement and
supporting the livelihood of the local communities. “This agreement
builds on good existing relationship between EAC and Arcos,” he said.
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