After 15 years on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger, Madagascar's Atsinanana Rainforests have officially been deemed safe. This decision marks a significant milestone for Madagascar, seen not only as international recognition of the government’s conservation efforts but also as the start of a new chapter. This new era promises bold green diplomacy, a revitalized ecotourism sector, and a fully embraced environmental model.

Max Andonirina Fontaine, Madagascar’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, described the change as an opportunity to "move from a vicious cycle to a virtuous one." In this exclusive interview with Ecofin Agency, he discusses the factors behind this achievement and the ecological, economic, and diplomatic importance of a status change that, he believes, "can inspire other African states."

Ecofin Agency (EA): The Rainforests of the Atsinanana have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, but they were added to the endangered list as early as 2010. Can you elaborate on what makes this site so unique and explain the reasons for its original placement on the endangered list?

Max Andonirina Fontaine (MAF): That’s correct. In 2007, UNESCO decided to list the Rainforests of the Atsinanana. "Atsinanana" means East in Malagasy, and it refers to a group of six protected areas located in the eastern part of the country. These are biodiversity jewels with an exceptional rate of endemism. Today, when Madagascar is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, it is partly thanks to these rainforests.

“ Today, when Madagascar is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, it is partly thanks to the Rainforests of the Atsinanana.”

People often say that 50% of Madagascar’s biodiversity is found in just 2% of its territory, these forests. So, they have enormous ecosystem value, and by extension, economic value too, if you consider the services they provide: water, soil fertility, climate change mitigation, and ecotourism.

What led to the forests being placed on the endangered list were issues like trafficking of natural resources, illegal logging of precious woods, lemur poaching, and a very high deforestation rate. 

What led to the forests being placed on the endangered list were issues like trafficking of natural resources, illegal logging of precious woods, lemur poaching, and a very high deforestation rate.

That is why UNESCO unfortunately, had to put the site on the danger list in 2010. That decision significantly impacted Madagascar for 15 years, and we are still feeling the consequences in terms of international image. It became a national priority to make every effort to get off that list.

EA: UNESCO has just approved the removal of this site from the List of World Heritage in Danger. What does this decision mean for Madagascar, what efforts made it possible, and what were the pillars of this success?

MAF: For Madagascar, this decision is more than a technical or political ruling. It represents a true acknowledgment of the government's efforts over the past decade. First and foremost, it began with political will at the highest level. President Andry Rajoelina prioritized biodiversity conservation. This commitment then translated into strategy, and that strategy into concrete actions.

For instance, we strengthened our technological resources. Today, Madagascar’s protected areas utilize specialized drones for mapping, fire prevention, and ecological monitoring. We also required most protected area managers to use Starlink kits to ensure reliable communication, as these areas are remote and difficult to access. Quick, reliable communication is critical for managing fires or combating illegal trafficking. These technological innovations marked a major leap forward.

In 2024 alone, over 250 people, primarily youth and women, received training on using drones in and around protected areas.

In 2024 alone, over 250 people, primarily youth and women, received training on using drones in and around protected areas.

We also implemented legal reforms. We reinforced the Protected Areas Code, increased penalties for trafficking, and intensified efforts to combat the illegal trade in timber, wildlife, lemurs, and tortoises, among other species. We collaborated with international bodies such as CITES, IUCN, and Interpol, and we built cooperation with several countries.

“ When people’s living conditions improve, they naturally exert less pressure on the forests.”

Finally, we focused on improving the living conditions of communities surrounding protected areas to lessen human pressure on these sites. When people’s living conditions improve, they naturally exert less pressure on the forests. It has been a long journey, requiring genuine political courage. That is why we can now speak of recognition; it is a huge relief for the Malagasy government.

EA: This international recognition also comes with future obligations, as nothing is guaranteed. What are the next steps to solidify this progress and prevent any setbacks? What concrete actions do you plan to take to maintain this momentum?

MAF: That's right. The real work starts now. Last year, I went to New Delhi to present our case to the World Heritage Committee and to request a field visit from IUCN, CITES, and UNESCO. They came and observed the situation directly. Based on their findings, technical committees issued recommendations, which the Malagasy government then put into practice.

We currently have ongoing commitments to uphold. For instance, we have to keep the deforestation rate below 0.5% across the six protected areas that constitute this site.

We have to keep the deforestation rate below 0.5% across the six protected areas that constitute this site

We are doing this primarily for ourselves, and naturally, also for continued international recognition. We stand to gain in terms of visibility, funding, and ecotourism if we maintain this direction.

In fact, just yesterday, we met with the UNESCO team to develop a project for which we will seek funding. The World Bank has already expressed interest in supporting Madagascar’s efforts to fulfill its World Heritage commitments. We will also access climate financing available to the country.

EA: That's an interesting point you've raised. How can this kind of development translate into tangible gains for the country? Do you genuinely believe this success will strengthen your diplomatic position, boost tourist appeal, or even make it easier to secure international funding?

MAF: We didn't aim for the rainforests to be removed from the endangered list just for the sake of it. A whole range of benefits are tied to this decision. The rosewood scandals, for example, severely damaged Madagascar’s international image. We worked hard to move past that. Many international partners avoided working with us as long as those issues were unresolved and the forests remained on the endangered list.

Now, from a tourism perspective, UNESCO World Heritage sites are major global destinations. Some travelers specifically choose their destinations based on these sites. Diplomatically, it’s also a success. UNESCO member states voted in our favor, based on technical recommendations from the World Heritage Convention. This shows Madagascar's efforts were recognized, boosting our standing on the international stage and within the realm of green diplomacy.

Yesterday, in the plenary hall, after UNESCO confirmed the decision, several heads of member-state delegations congratulated us and expressed their desire to continue working with Madagascar. We’ve even submitted our candidacy to sit on the World Heritage Committee for the 2025–2029 term. This success strengthens that bid. It proves we’ve made the necessary efforts and gained real experience. We sincerely hope this story will help us serve on the committee for the next four years.

EA: We've been discussing these rainforests, specifically sites like Masoala Park and Marojejy, but Madagascar also boasts incredible biodiversity overall. We know, for instance, that the country is home to about 5% of the world's biodiversity. So, when you talk about ecotourism, what specific projects are currently underway to sustainably develop these sites? And how do you ensure local communities are fully involved and genuinely benefit?

MAF: That's an excellent question. We need to transform a vicious cycle into a virtuous one, and the government is taking bold steps to do just that. Managing parks remains challenging, especially in remote areas. It's important to remember that we're talking about biodiversity, yes, but also about 30 million people who live within it. Humans are part of this biodiversity, and we must avoid repeating past mistakes where conservation simply meant excluding local communities from parks, even though their ancestors lived there and maintained harmony with the environment.

We're creating ecotourism concessions, defined zones within the parks where private operators can respond to calls for proposals to run eco-lodges with strict environmental criteria.

We need to develop sustainable, income-generating activities around protected areas. One concrete example is ecotourism. The government, through Madagascar National Parks, the agency under the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development that manages these areas, is developing a pilot project across six parks. We're creating ecotourism concessions: these are defined zones within the parks where private operators can respond to calls for proposals to run eco-lodges.

These concessions come with strict environmental criteria. The infrastructure must blend seamlessly into the surroundings and avoid disrupting the landscape. The social criteria are just as rigorous: operators must hire a percentage of local residents, contribute to local development, and offer environmentally respectful, high-end tourism. We are truly committed to maximizing the value of our natural capital.

EA: This news also provides an opportunity to discuss sustainable development. At a time when these issues are widely discussed, how do you articulate forest policy and maritime policy within a coherent vision of sustainable development, specifically in Madagascar? If you had to summarize the Malagasy approach in a few words, what would you say?

MAF: In a few words: integrated approach. For too long, oceans and forests were treated as separate ecosystems. Today, everything is interconnected, and climate change reminds us of that daily.

That’s why, for instance, when we create a marine protected area in Madagascar, we also manage the land that drains into it. Protecting the sea starts on land. Take plastic pollution: it begins onshore. If we want to reduce it in the oceans, we must reduce production and consumption on land. The same goes for ecosystems. You can’t protect a coral reef if you’re destroying the mangroves directly across from it.

That’s why we focus on integrated projects and have significantly strengthened collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries.

EA: One last question. Madagascar isn't the only African country dealing with issues like deforestation, illegal exploitation, and the trafficking of precious wood. What lessons or inspiration do you think the "Atsinanana case" can offer to other African nations?

MAF: Above all, I’d say hope. As UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay told me, it’s incredibly hard to get off the endangered list. On average, only one natural site per year manages to do it.

It’s incredibly hard to get off the endangered list. On average, only one natural site per year manages to do it.

This leads many countries to think it's nearly impossible. But what the Atsinanana story shows is that you can come back from a very serious, even perilous situation, no pun intended, and restore these landscapes.

It’s a powerful message of hope, and for Madagascar, it motivates us to push even further. Instead of settling for getting one site off the danger list, we’re aiming to add more to the World Heritage list.

Just last year, the dry forests of western Madagascar were inscribed as a World Heritage site, a hugely significant moment for us.

Interview by Louis-Nino Kansoun