In partnership with ICLEI and France Expertise, OECD/SWAC will contribute to this EU Pavilion event at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD-COP 16).
Description
The growth of the African population - likely to double by 2050 - and rapid urbanisation will place great pressure on the continent's biodiversity.
As hotspots for land-use change due to urban expansion, cities are widely recognised as drivers of biodiversity loss. Yet, they can also serve as a refuge for species. Significant evidence shows that cities can no longer be viewed simply as a threat, as they are transforming their role to one of significant opportunity.
Moreso, in African cities, informalities translate into social, environmental, political, cultural, and economic networks that co-exist with the official city. Often, they are better at addressing the needs of the urban and peri-urban communities. Both systems can interact positively, helping create more sustainable and healthy environments in cities.
Cities are essential for achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's (KMGBF) targets. Being closer to people, businesses and decision makers, measures taken by local governments are relevant to the economic and finance sectors. Government officers at the local level are also more flexible to act as generalists. They tend to see problems and solutions in an integrated manner and are better positioned to contribute to the effective implementation of the KMGBF.
Objective
The main objectives of the event are to highlight the dual role of African cities in both biodiversity loss and conservation, emphasising their potential as refuges for species amidst urbanisation. It aims to discuss effective strategies for local governments to integrate biodiversity considerations into urban planning and decision-making processes, promoting sustainable urban development aligned with international biodiversity goals. Additionally, it will emphasise the importance of geospatial data in informing sustainable urban policies and promoting equitable access to green spaces. Lastly, the event will explore the interaction between formal and informal systems in African cities, fostering dialogue among stakeholders to propose collaborative solutions for the impacts of rapid urbanisation on biodiversity.
Audience
This event will bring together urban planning specialists, researchers, biodiversity policy experts and more.