Environment, Forestry and Climate Change  Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, on Monday  presided over the opening session of the Sub-regional Capacity-Building Workshop on Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) for Central, Southern, and Eastern Africa at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi.

Themed “High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People,” the three-day workshop aims to support the implementation of provisions under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) related to indigenous peoples and local communities.

The discussions focus on Target 3 of the KMGBF, which calls for the effective conservation and management of at least 30% of the planet’s terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.

Biodiversity: A Critical Pillar for Sustainability

Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem services that sustain food security, health, livelihoods, and resilience to climate change. However, unprecedented environmental challenges—including habitat destruction, pollution, and the over-exploitation of natural resources—are accelerating biodiversity loss, necessitating urgent action.

CS Duale emphasized the need for regional collaboration and capacity-building to address these threats.

“It is imperative that we come together, share experiences, and collaborate on strategies to mitigate these challenges and promote biodiversity conservation,” he said.

Presided over the opening of the Sub-Regional Capacity-Building Workshop on Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) at the UN Headquarters, Nairobi.

Themed "High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People," the three-day workshop focuses on… pic.twitter.com/zNY5f6PHyy

— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) February 17, 2025

Kenya’s Commitment to Global Biodiversity Goals

Kenya has embraced the KMGBF as a strategic roadmap to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. One of its key objectives is to restore at least 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine ecosystems by 2030.

The country’s 15 Billion Tree Growing Initiative is a flagship project aimed at expanding protected areas, promoting sustainable land-use planning, and integrating biodiversity into national policies.

CS Duale highlighted Kenya’s efforts to align its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) with the overarching goals of the KMGBF.

“Kenya has undertaken a robust process to integrate its national biodiversity targets with the 23 global targets, developing national indicators to evaluate conservation measures’ effectiveness and adjust strategies accordingly,” he noted.

CS Duale also stressed the importance of ensuring that biodiversity conservation aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) while respecting the rights of local communities.

Call for Regional Cooperation

Addressing delegates, the CS urged African nations to reaffirm their commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework and work collectively to implement Target 3.

“We must work together to create a future where biodiversity conservation is not seen as an obstacle to development but as a driver of sustainable growth,” he said.

The workshop provides a platform for meaningful dialogue, sharing best practices, and developing policies that reflect Africa’s realities in biodiversity conservation.