RCMRD Hosts Successful Data & Information Engagement Workshop for Protected Areas in Nairobi

The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) successfully hosted a Data & Information Engagement Workshop for Protected and Conserved Areas from 30th September to 4th October 2024 at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop, under the theme “Leveraging Data Insights for Impactful and Sustainable Ecosystems,” brought together participants from 24 African countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar, Ethiopia, and more.

The event, led by the Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) for Biodiversity, Forestry, and Seascape Ecosystems Management, aimed to strengthen partnerships between the RCoE and national institutions managing biodiversity data. It emphasized the role of data in improving governance and management effectiveness in protected and conserved areas, including Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs).

Key Outcomes of the Workshop:

• Strengthened Relationships: The workshop enhanced the connection between RCoE and country representatives, raising awareness of the center's role in supporting biodiversity data management and conservation efforts.
• Data and Information Sharing: Participants were introduced to the RCoE’s data management process, from collection and processing to publication. This engagement provided countries with valuable insights into how RCoE can help them monitor and track their progress on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Targets.
• Addressing User Needs: The workshop facilitated in-depth discussions on the specific needs of the countries, allowing RCoE to tailor its services and products for greater effectiveness. The upcoming role of RCMRD as a Technical Support Centre for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was also explored.
• Collaboration on Conservation Solutions: Various stakeholders in the conservation field shared innovative approaches, including low-cost monitoring methods and models for assessing conservation suitability.

Workshop Highlights:

• Monday, 30th September: The opening session set the stage with high-level discussions on RCoE’s progress, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and data flows from countries to global platforms.
• Tuesday, 1st October: A focus on data management guidelines, target 3 of the GBF, and one-on-one data sessions with individual countries to assess their data needs.
• Wednesday, 2nd October: Partner organizations showcased conservation solutions, including low-cost monitoring and conservation suitability modeling, followed by dialogues on OECMs.
• Thursday, 3rd October: The final day centered on communication outreach, policy-informing knowledge products, gender and social inclusion, and building a community of practice.

The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment from all participating countries to continue leveraging data insights for effective biodiversity conservation, positioning RCoE as a crucial player in supporting African nations to meet global conservation targets.