On the morning of October 25, Quan Zhanjun, Vice-President of the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on ecological and environmental science and technology cooperation with Shonisani Munzhedzi, CEO of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in Cali, Colombia where he and his delegation attended the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) .
Vice President Quan Zhanjun and CEO Shonisani Munzhedzi sign the MOU on ecological and environmental science and technology cooperation.
Quan stated that focusing on China’s sustainable development strategy，CRAES has carried out major innovative and fundamental scientific research in environmental protection，which aims to provide strategic, forward-looking, and comprehensive scientific support for national socio-economic development and environmental decision-making. CRAES has conducted extensive research in biodiversity survey, monitoring and assessment, conservation effectiveness assessment of protected areas, and ecosystem services and values realization. It has supported the revision of China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan, the updating of China’s Red List of Biodiversity, and the writing of national reports. Also, CRAES has participated in negotiations on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Quan hoped that the two sides could take the signing of the MOU as an opportunity to jointly apply for programs and funding, foster scientific and research cooperation, promote policy dialogue, and facilitate mutual exchanges in biodiversity, and work together to promote biodiversity surveys and monitoring as well as national assessments of implementation, thereby setting a model for implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and for China-Africa biodiversity cooperation.
Munzhedzi said that South Africa is rich in biodiversity and highly values its conservation. As a key technical supporter of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of South Africa, SANBI is one of the designated sub-regional centers for scientific and technical cooperation under the CBD. Munzhedzi hoped to strengthen cooperation with CRAES in biodiversity cataloging, monitoring, evaluation, information analysis and capacity building, setting an example for China-South Africa cooperation.
After the signing ceremony, the two sides held a luncheon meeting to discuss the next steps, including joint apply for program applications under the Kunming Biodiversity Fund and plans for mutual visits.
This MOU marks the first of its kind to be signed by the CRAES and an African research institute. It fills the gap in strategic cooperation between CRAES and African research institutes, marks a solid step in expanding cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road, and lays a solid foundation for future scientific exchanges and cooperation in ecology and environment between China and Africa and for building a China-Africa community with a shared future through scientific and technological support.
A group photo of participants at the signing ceremony.
Over 30 representatives from CRAES, SANBI, the Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of South Africa, and other organizations attended and witnessed the signing ceremony.
