Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Environmental Education Initiatives in Menongue

Menongue: Angolan Environment Minister Ana Paula de Carvalho on Tuesday reaffirmed the Executive's commitment to strengthening environmental education, sustainable solid waste management, and biodiversity preservation. Speaking to the press at the conclusion of her working visit to Cubango province, she stated that this commitment aims to build cleaner, healthier, and environmentally sustainable cities, with the goal of ensuring better living conditions for the population and preventing negative impacts on ecosystems. According to Angola Press News Agency, the minister handed over equipment for solid waste collection and transport and hosted a workshop covering environmental education, community-led local sanitation, climate change prevention, and environmental licensing. Ana Paula de Carvalho also visited the "31 de Janeiro" Environmental School and the Bimbi Agro-ecological Center in Cubango, acknowledging that both require renovation work to improve operational conditions. Despite the infrastructure need s identified, the minister highlighted that the curricula at the "31 de Janeiro" National Environmental School are regularly updated and that the school trains more than 300 students annually in fields related to the environment and natural resource conservation. In this regard, she announced that the Ministry would review a memorandum prepared by the administration of the 31 de Janeiro School to identify investment priorities, including the establishment and equipping of laboratories focused on areas such as biodiversity, veterinary science, waste management, chemicals, and refrigeration. Regarding the Bimbi Agro-ecological Center in Cubango, she reported that the Executive is working with the financing bank to extend the funding in order to complete construction and fully operationalize the facility, which is designed to train farmers in sustainable agriculture techniques and environmentally friendly production methods. According to the minister, the country's existing agro-ecological centers play a vital role in empowering rural communities by promoting good agricultural practices, the use of organic fertilizers, proper soil management, and increased agricultural productivity, all of which contribute to strengthening food security. Addressing the country's environmental situation, Ana Paula de Carvalho stated that Angola has made significant progress in meeting its international commitments, highlighting the creation this year of two new conservation areas-Serra do Pingano (Uíge) and Serra do Moco (Huambo)-bringing the total number of protected areas in the country to 16. The official also revealed that the country continues to strengthen international partnerships for the management of conservation areas with organizations specializing in biodiversity protection, while simultaneously carrying out climate change mitigation and adaptation actions through the implementation of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan. On the other hand, it acknowledged that challenges persist, such as uncontrolled fires, poaching, and the need for greater community involvement in the preservation of natural resources. To address these issues, it explained, the Ministry of the Environment has been strengthening the training of environmental inspectors and expanding cooperation with neighboring countries and international partners to consolidate the protection of Angola's environmental heritage.