Agadir 24 | Agadir24 – Abdul Latif Al Kamel
The work of the third session of the International Forum organized in Agadir for the conservation of large-sized animals of the Sahel and the Sahara provided an opportunity to evaluate the work being carried out related to the large-sized animals of the Sahel and Sahara, and to study the possibility of expanding the scope of “coordinated action” to include other animals.
Participants from 24 countries were able, in this international meeting organized by the National Agency for Water and Forests, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention, in the city of Agadir, between 14 and 16 March 2023, to discuss sources of sustainable financing for the implementation of the action plan.
And the search for the adoption of an updated plan of action to preserve animals of large size in the Sahel and the Sahara and their habitats. The interventions of the participants also contributed to deepening the discussion on everything related to these animal species in the Sahel and Sahara region, so that the discussion was not limited to the elements of activating and financing work programs, but also focused on mechanisms and tools for regional and international cooperation.
The conclusion of the work of the international meeting resulted in important outputs that the participants unanimously adopted, represented in the following elements:
Adopting the regional action plan for the conservation of large animals in the Sahel and Sahara region, with the aim of increasing the effectiveness of the procedures and programs implemented in this field, with a focus on the legislative, technical and financial aspects and strengthening cooperation.
Approval of the plans related to the eight species of animals of large sizes in the coast and the desert, six of which are present in Morocco (Maha Abu Harab – Maha Abu Adass – Dowry gazelle – Mountain gazelle – Adam’s gazelle – Barbary deer – Slender-horned gazelle – Red-fronted deer).
– Launching a regional initiative for the conservation of large animals in the Sahel and Sahara, noting that the participating countries have authorized Morocco to advocate for this initiative at the level of the fourteenth session of the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), which is scheduled to be held from 23 To October 28, 2023 in Uzbekistan, as well as at the level of international organizations.
This is the imprint of the international forum organized in the city of Agadir, in its third edition, on the preservation of animals of the coast and the desert of large size, on the participation of 70 experts from 24 countries to study the problems and constraints of preserving this type of animals, especially migratory birds and wild animals.
So that this forum aims to exchange global expertise and experiences and search for ways to ensure environmentally, technically and scientifically to preserve the livestock of the coast and desert, especially those that are characterized by large sizes.
The forum was also distinguished by organizing a field visit for the benefit of the members and guests participating in this forum to the Souss-Massa National Park located between the cities of Agadir and Tiznit, which was established in 1991.
It is a national park that has two important reserves that have been specially prepared and equipped to suit and contribute to the adaptation of some endangered species, including three species of ungulates related to “Adam’s gazelle”, “Oryx gazelle” and “Al-Hussami oryx”.
