THE 2019 EDITION OF AFRICA ENVIRONMENT AND WANGARI MAATHAI DAY (AE&WMD) HELD IN LUANDA (ANGOLA) FROM 01-03 MARCH 2019
After Niamey, Republic of Niger, last year, in March 2019, Luanda, Capital City of Republic of Angola, hosted the 2019 s edition of Africa Environment and Wangari Maathai Day. African Union Commission (AUC) has co-organizing this year, with the government of the Republic of Angola the Africa Environment & Wangari Maathai Day on 3rd of March. From 1-2 march, the forum Women and Environment predated the event with the theme: Women, Environment and Peace.
The Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) through its Environment Division and the Specialized Technical Office AU SAFGRAD, were actively involved in the planning and execution of this important continental event. This celebration, that constituted an opportunity for the AUC to reaffirm its commitment toward environmental protection in Africa, was attended by various International and African organizations.
The AUC delegation was headed by HE Mrs Josefa Sacko Correa, Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture, and included many other officers notably from Environment Division. AU SAFGRAD team comprised the Coordinator (Dr. Ahmed Elmekass) and two senior officers namely Mr. Youssoupha MBENGUE (information and Outreach Officer) and Mr. Mamadou KOUTOU (Programme Officer). The opportunity was taken by the office to disseminate outreach materials such as books, T-shirts, caps, etc.
AU SAFGRAD Head of Office, Dr Ahmed ELMEKASS, has delivered on behalf of the Commission a an important statement during the forum Women and Environment.
THE FORUM WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT (1-2 MARCH)
From 1-2 March, the forum Women and Environment preceded the celebrations of the AE&WMD. Participants came from various Member States and International institutions. The objective of the forum is to raise political awareness on strengthening regional and national policies and strategies that would enhance women access to land and other natural resources.
The role of Women is essential in promoting sustainable natural resource management and prevention of conflicts. However, women are inadequately represented at all levels of policy formulation and decision-making in natural resource and environmental management, conservation, protection and rehabilitation. They are also not well represented in issues dealing with peace building and conflict prevention. Morever, indigenous women have particular knowledge of ecological linkages and fragile ecosystem management. Women in Africa can take courage from the late Professor Wangari Maathai of Kenya who devoted her entire life to environmental protection and conservation and remains an immortal global icon.
AFRICA ENVIRONMENT AND WANGARI MAATHAI DAY (AE&WMD)
The D day was marked by two major events. The first one was an important planting of trees with the presence of several leaders notably HE Mrs Josefa Sacko Correa, Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture, the Governor of Luanda, the Minister of Envronment of Angola, the vice Minister of Environment of Namibia. They delivered respectively statements to mark this important celebration.
The second event was also another trees planting that took place in an important place that is a new built area of the City of Luanda. Youth actively participated to the ceremony with the planting of hundreds of plants.
The particapants to these celebrations of AE&WMD took the opportunity of their presence in Luanda to visit several places with environmental issues notably the important mangroves surrounded the capital city of Angola.
Download here the Opening Statement of HE DREA Commisionner delivered by Dr Ahmed Elmekass
ALBUM PHOTOS
