The Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) for Biodiversity, Forests, and Seascape Ecosystems Management has launched a Data Geoportal platform designed to facilitate open access to crucial ecosystem data.
The platform provides access to key data for the Conservation of Biodiversity, Forests, and Seascape Ecosystems in Eastern and Southern Africa. It is an essential resource for governments, conservation organizations, researchers, and local communities across the region.
The RCoE Data Geoportal will serve as a one-stop platform for up-to-date data, interactive mapping, and analytical tools aimed at enhancing ecosystem monitoring and decision-making.
The portal will enable users to track biodiversity, forest cover, and seascape ecosystems across borders, helping stakeholders respond proactively to environmental challenges. It also promotes data sharing between countries and institutions, ensuring cross-border cooperation for effective ecosystem management.
“The ability to track environmental changes in real-time, analyses trends, and predict future scenarios will enable us to make informed decisions that protect our environment while promoting sustainable development,” said Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, Principal Secretary in Charge of the State Department for Environment and Climate.
The PS was represented by Dr. Faith Nyokabi the Head of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) at the ministry. The RCoE Data Geoportal was launched during the Data & Information Engagement Workshop for Protected and Conserved Areas at the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The workshop, under the theme “Leveraging Data Insights for Impactful and Sustainable Ecosystems,” brought together conservationists, policymakers, and data specialists from 24 project countries, including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
“By bringing together experts from across eastern and southern Africa, we are fostering a culture of shared learning, innovation, and collaboration. Our goal is to equip communities, governments, and organizations with the information and tools they need to manage ecosystems sustainably,” said Dr. Éliane Ubalijoro Chief Executive Officer of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and Director General of ICRAF.
The four-day workshop aimed to strengthen relationships with institutions managing data on protected areas and demonstrate the importance of data in decision-making for governance and conservation. It will also showcased the RCoE’s data management process and its role in helping countries track progress on Global Biodiversity Framework Targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
“The workshop offers a platform to showcase our progress on data for Protected and Conserved Areas and to explore how data can drive impactful conservation efforts,” said RCMRD Director General, Dr Emmanuel Nkurunziza.
The RCoE is committed to providing access to actionable data that will enable various communities to participate in conservation efforts and take ownership of local ecosystem management.
To access the RCoE Data Geoportal, visit: https://rcoe-geoportal.rcmrd.org
The RCoEs are the European Union’s support for the use of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for the green transition and sustainable development in the main dimensions of the Green Deal: forests and biodiversity, water, oceans, energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate change.
The RCoEs will enable knowledge and informed decisions in responding to megatrends including climate change, environmental degradation, population growth, technological development and diversification of security threats in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The overall objective of the project is to ensure forests, biodiversity and seascape ecosystems in the 24 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa are sustainably managed and continue providing ecosystem services and contribute to the well-being of the populations, by providing improved, regular and updated information for informed decision making.
