The conservation of mangroves in Africa requires further political commitment from the States, Angola said prior to a regional debate on the issue on Thursday.
Convened by the African Union (AU), the virtual forum brings together ministers and other officials from the spheres of the Environment, Fisheries and Blue Economy, the press office of the Vice Presidency of the Republic confirmed in Luanda.
Representatives from Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Congo, Cameroon, Madagascar, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Nigeria, Djibouti, Ivory Coast and Ghana will address the meeting, the source added.
According to the announcement, Angolan Vice President Bornito de Sousa will participate as a guest of honor of African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, from Chad.
On February 2, the executive promoted a National Wetland Workshop in Luanda, which was attended by representatives of government institutions, legislators, academics and members of environmental groups linked to the protection of mangroves.
De Sousa announced in early February the deposit of the legal instruments for Angola to joins the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
At least, some 11 places in the country could be declared ‘Ramsar Sites’, including Mangal do Lobito lagoons in Benguela; Kumbilo-Dirico Wetland Complex in Cuando Cubango, and Saco dos Flamingos and Calumbo lagoons and Quilunda in Luanda, the vice president said.
2016 Agencia Informativa Latinoamericana Prensa Latina