Mozambican President Daniel Chapo advocated today for greater investment by African countries in the sustainable management of land and water, considering them fundamental to reinforcing climate resilience and promoting sustainable development across the continent.
In a message released on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Drought and Desertification, observed today under the slogan “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.”, Daniel Chapo, in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Disaster Risk Management, warned of the increasing degradation of rangeland ecosystems in Africa and the impacts on millions of people who depend on them.
“As member states, we must invest and work in a coordinated manner on sustainable land and water management as strategic, cross-cutting foundations for climate resilience, human health, livestock production, agriculture, peace, and the sustainable development of our African continent,” the Mozambican head of state said.
According to Daniel Chapo, rangelands constitute one of the most important ecosystems on the continent but currently face strong pressures resulting from climate change, prolonged droughts, unsustainable land use, the proliferation of invasive species, and insufficient investments for their recovery.
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“Rangelands are among the most important ecosystems in Africa. However, many of these ecosystems are under severe pressure due to climate change, prolonged droughts, unsustainable land use, invasive species, and insufficient investments in restoration,” he declared.
The Mozambican President added that the degradation of these ecosystems is causing reduced productivity, increased water stress, loss of vegetation cover, a higher risk of natural disasters, and worsening vulnerability for communities dependent on pasturage, advocating for a coordinated response from African countries to reverse this trend.
The World Day to Combat Drought and Desertification has been celebrated annually since 1995, following an initiative by the United Nations to raise awareness about international cooperation in combating desertification and the effects of drought, with this year’s official global celebration taking place in Kenya, the host country of the event.
