OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF ZIMBABWE'S SIXTH NATIONAL REPORT TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Today (26 October 2020), the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry @Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu officially launched Zimbabwe's Sixth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Harare.

Zimbabwe became the part of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. This treaty advocates for the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of the components of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of genetic resources, whilst also seeking to address all threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services. The objective of national reporting is to provide information on measures taken for the implementation of the Convention and the effectiveness of these measures at the country level.

Zimbabwe successfully prepared and submitted its Sixth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity in September 2019. This document was approved and endorsed by by the CBD Secretariat in February 2020.

The Government of Zimbabwe recognises the importance of biodiversity in achieving Sustainable Development Goals; Africa 2063 Agenda; SADC vision and the National 2030 Vision. The diverse nature of Zimbabwe's ecosystems provides for a variety of benefits from plant and animal species and their aesthetic characteristics are invaluable. Biodiversity is the basis of survival for most of Zimbabwe's people, who live in rural areas and adjacent to protected areas. These are the people who mostly exploit natural resources for their livelihoods.

Minister Ndhlovu applauded various government departments and agencies, the National Biodiversity Forum, academia, civil society organisations, NGOs and local communities who participated in the development of the report.