The fifth World Parks Congress drew to a close in Durban on Wednesday afternoon, bringing to an end 10 days of intensive discussion on the future of protected areas around the globe.
The event, held in the port city’s International Convention Centre, attracted over 2 500 of the world’s leading conservationists and environmental experts, as well as at least two African kings and several politicians.
Among its outputs is a report — the so-called Durban Accord –containing what the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has described as ”the principal message from this meeting to the world”.
It contains a warning that many species are poised on the edge of extinction, following a reduction by half over the past two decades of the Earth’s wild and natural areas outside of parks and other reserves.
It also paints a frightening picture of a rapidly changing world.
”All around us we see profound transformations: climate change, fragmentation of landscapes and seascapes, and the spread of invasive alien species. We see growing populations, globalisation, urbanisation, decentralisation, and rising demands for food, fibre, fuel and water.
”We see loss of biological and cultural diversity, and failing ecosystems that serve as vital organs of the Earth, (and) we see three billion people in poverty, gripped by daily struggles for survival,” the accord states.
Speaking at a final WPC media conference on Wednesday, Environment Minister Valli Moosa said a major outcome of the congress had been the creation of a ”new paradigm” linking eco-systems and communities.
He said the congress had rejected two conservation extremes; one which saw eco-systems plundered for short-term economic gain, and another that ”placed protected areas beyond the reach of human beings”.
The event had also proved a major boost for South African tourism, particularly its national parks.
Asked what lessons he had drawn from the congress, Moosa said one was the need to enrol more young people in the conservation cause.
In this, he echoed remarks made by one of the WPC’s patrons, former president Nelson Mandela, who at the opening ceremony last week told delegates the future of conservation was in the hands of today’s youth.
”Without the youth, the future is not secure,” he warned, saying young people were under-represented in many areas of protected areas management.
One of the greatest challenges for the future of protected areas was to correct this situation, Mandela said.
The congress also focused strongly on African conservation issues, and has produced an action plan for the continent’s protected areas.
Closing the final plenary session on Wednesday, Deputy President Jacob Zuma said this, together with the Nepad African protected areas initiative, ”set a clear agenda to ensure that protected areas are central to poverty reduction and development strategies”. – Sapa