As part of the “Program for research, information exchange, awareness-raising and conservation of biodiversity in Burundi” established under the Memorandum of Understanding between the OBPE (ex INECN) and the Royal Institute of Natural Sciences of Belgium (IRSNB), a national workshop was held, within the premises of the Star Hotel, a national workshop to validate the Strategic Research Plan on Biodiversity for the implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity in Burundi was this Friday, March 17, 2017.

 

The activities of this workshop were opened by the Assistant Minister for the Environment. In his speech, he mentioned that researchers in the field of biodiversity are currently at work, but that there is still a significant lack of scientific guidance for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It is understandable that, with the absence of scientific data, Burundi cannot claim to implement its National Biodiversity Strategy, he added. Thus, the Assistant Minister expressed the hope that around this document, a National Committee in charge of biodiversity research would be created, which would constitute a consultative framework to build synergy between researchers in order to plan together and thus face national priorities. He ended his speech with warm thanks to the Royal Institute of Natural Sciences of Belgium, which does not stop supporting Burundi to conserve and enhance biodiversity.

The opening of the workshop was followed by the presentation of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity document made by Msc. Nzigidahera Benoît. In his presentation, the speaker started talking about the context of the SNPAB, the causes and consequences of biodiversity degradation and the constraints to biodiversity management. He also spoke about the Strategy and Action Plan by showing the National Vision which states that:

“By 2030, biological diversity is restored, conserved and used rationally by all actors, ensuring the maintenance of ecosystem services and guaranteeing essential benefits for current and future generations.” Before finishing this presentation, he developed the objectives contained in the various strategic axes.

 

A second presentation on the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity Research followed by Ms. HABONIMANA Bernadette, Professor at the University of Burundi. At the beginning of this presentation, she first indicated that this Strategic Research Plan is a tool, orientation guide and concerted framework for research actors to operationalize the SNPAB. She then showed the state of research in Burundi in the various fields dealing with biodiversity.

 

During her presentation, the speaker developed the elements of the strategy with the following vision: “By 2020, a great effort is being made in research to improve knowledge, make scientific data available to all actors in order to restore biodiversity, conserve it and use it rationally for current and future generations”. Strategic axes containing objectives to be achieved were also mentioned.

The participants then had the opportunity to exchange and discuss the two presentations made. This phase of exchange and discussion was followed by committee work. Three groups were formed. The first group analyzed the document from the beginning to page 19. The second analyzed the rest of the document. As for the ^3rd group, it was called upon to set up a national committee of researchers on biodiversity and show how to make it operational. The presentation of the work in committees took place in plenary session.

 

 

In conclusion, the workshop went well and the document of the Strategic Research Plan on Biodiversity for the implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity in Burundi was validated with amendments made.