APA-Lusaka (Zambia) The Zambian government and the European Union (EU) have signed a roadmap for the implementation of the EU-Zambia Forest Partnership, a joint initiative to support sustainable forest management and green economy in the southern African country.
The roadmap was signed on Thursday by Zambia’s Green Economy and Environment Minister Collins Nzovu and European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra in Lusaka.
The EU-Zambia Forest Partnership is part of the EU’s Global Gateway, a strategy to boost sustainable and inclusive investments in Africa and other regions.
The partnership aims to enhance the conservation and restoration of forests, biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as to improve the livelihoods and resilience of local communities and forest-dependent sectors.
The roadmap signed on Thursday outlines the main objectives, activities and expected results of the partnership between Zambia and the EU for the period 2024-2027.
It covers four thematic areas: forest governance and law enforcement, forest landscape restoration, sustainable forest management and value chains, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
“This roadmap reflects the collective aspirations of our partnership and outlines specific actions, milestones, and responsibilities,” Nzovu said during the signing ceremony that was witnessed by President Hakainde Hichilema and ambassadors of EU member states who are accredited to Zambia.
Some of the key actions envisaged in the roadmap include supporting the development and implementation of a national forest policy and legal framework; strengthening the capacity and coordination of relevant Zambian institutions and stakeholders; promoting the restoration of degraded forest landscapes, especially in priority areas such as the Zambezi and Kafue river basins.
Other proposed actions include cooperation between the EU and Zambia in improving the sustainability, efficiency and added value of value chains for forest products and services, such as timber, honey, charcoal and ecotourism, and creating decent jobs and income opportunities for local communities.
“The roadmap we sign today (Thursday) frames the joint commitment of the European Union and its member states to support sustainable forest management in Zambia,” Hoekstra said.
He added: “Together, we want to invest in sustainable partnerships, green growth, value addition and the creation of decent jobs in the country.”
The roadmap also defines the roles and responsibilities of the EU and its member states, the Zambian government and other partners such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, civil society, private sector and local communities in the implementation of the partnership.
JN/APA