(Ecofin Agency) - To conserve biodiversity and enhance socio-economic growth, governments of sub-Saharan Africa must consider a priority the management of their land resources, said environmental experts at the end of the 10th meeting of ministers of natural resources of East and Southern countries in Kigali on November 21 and 22.

“The two-day ministerial conference provided a platform for engagement among government officials in the Eastern and Southern African region involved in land administration and spatial planning on challenges and opportunities in land, urban and territorial planning,” Xinhua reported.

The forum which focused on identifying means to integrate technologies in land management in order to boost economy, protect the environment and efficiently manage lands in the region, was a wake-up call for officials regarding the importance of the land management issue in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Proper land management policies will be important for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and climate change protocols,” said Hussein Farah, former director general of the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD).

Sharing the same view, Burundi’s President Pierre Nkuruzinza urged other governments to get involved in the land tenure process. “Sustainable land management requires strong backing from the government because this would help in land-related decision-making at the community and national level. Governments could help limit illegal activities on land and boost the capacity of community leaders to manage conflicts,” he said.  

Souha Touré