Hangzhou: The Vice President of Angola, Esperan§a da Costa, on Tuesday praised the country's recent integration into the International Network of Biosphere Reserves, following the approval of the "Qui§ama Biosphere Reserve" candidacy. This was announced during the 37th session of the International Coordinating Council of the "Man and the Biosphere" (MAB) program in Hangzhou, China.
According to Angola Press News Agency, speaking at the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) 2.0 Scientific Conference, the vice president emphasized that this designation places the country among a network of over 700 reserves spanning 150 countries. Esperan§a da Costa said that this achievement, in the year that Angola celebrates 50 years of national independence, reinforces the government's commitment to the sustainable management of natural resources and appreciation of the traditional knowledge of communities that live in harmony with the environment.
The Vice-President emphasized Angola's commitment to creating and expanding conservation areas within the framework of the "Man and the Biosphere" concept, reaffirming the country's dedication to honoring its international obligations and facilitating the expansion of SASSCAL to other regional countries. Esperan§a da Costa also expressed hope that the conference would provide a platform for presenting solutions based on systematized scientific knowledge capable of supporting mitigation and adaptation actions in response to global change.
She underlined that expects the conference to inspire young African scientists to contribute to the strengthening of the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem for the continent's sustainable development, peace, and progress. The Vice President said that Angola has been part of the SASSCAL initiative since 2009 and has made significant progress in various programs and projects. These programs emphasize human capital development, scientific research management, and service provision. These factors have strengthened the research environment in southern Africa.
The Vice President said that southern Africa becomes stronger through the production and sharing of technical and scientific information, which is essential for making decisions about environmental issues, water resource availability, biomass, and defining sustainable development strategies. Da Costa described SASSCAL as a fundamental platform for formulating public policies aimed at food security and strengthening population resilience.
Finally, she urged Angola's higher education institutions and scientific research centers to establish research project partnerships and apply for available funding, taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by SASSCAL.
