GABORONE, April 15 — Botswana and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on Monday joined hands to strengthen resource mobilization strategies to address funding gaps and ensure sustainable conservation during a two-day workshop in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. Organized by the Biodiversity Finance Initiative, a UNDP project, in collaboration with the Botswanan Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the training focused on equipping park managers with skills to secure financial resources and manage them effectively. Josephine Lewis, deputy resident representative of UNDP Botswana, emphasized the urgency of securing long-term funding to protect Botswana‘s ecosystems, saying the strategy aims to safeguard the nation’s natural heritage for future generations.
Abigail Khumoyame, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, highlighted the importance of partnerships with the UNDP and the private sector in driving sustainable tourism and economic resilience. She stressed that private-sector innovation and community empowerment are vital for growth. Moemi Batshabang, director of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, reiterated the need for collaboration with non-governmental organizations, local communities, and international partners to efficiently manage protected areas, which cover over 40 percent of Botswana‘s landmass, including national parks, wildlife reserves, and forested regions. The event was attended by about 50 senior government officials and stakeholders from conserved areas.
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