The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), reinforcing a long-standing partnership committed to advancing sustainable natural resource management in the region.

The MoU was officially signed at the IUCN offices in Nairobi. It brings together IUCN’s globally recognized expertise in conservation with RCMRD’s geospatial and technical capabilities. This collaboration aims to strengthen data-driven decision-making, promote regional cooperation, and support policy development aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

RCMRD’s recent designation as a Technical and Scientific Support Centre under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) further underscores the importance of this partnership. Through joint efforts, RCMRD and IUCN will:

·        Provide technical support to Member States in Eastern and Southern Africa;

·        Enhance national capacities to integrate biodiversity data into policy and planning;

·        Promote regional knowledge sharing and collaboration; and

·        Support evidence-based, inclusive approaches to environmental governance.

Speaking during the signing, leaders from both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to advancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the region. The renewed MoU represents a significant step toward ensuring that governments and stakeholders have access to reliable data, innovative tools, and collaborative platforms necessary to achieve biodiversity targets.

Together, RCMRD and IUCN are building a stronger foundation for sustainable natural resource management and inclusive governance, ensuring that regional priorities are aligned with global biodiversity goals.

The Regional Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity, Forests and Seascapes in Eastern and Southern Africa (RCoE-ESA), hosted at RCMRD, has officially launched its inaugural Map Book, a landmark publication that consolidates maps, data, and visual narratives to illustrate the state of biodiversity, ecosystems, and conservation efforts across the region.

This first-of-its-kind publication supports the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly advancing Target 1 (spatial planning) and Target 3 (effective area-based conservation). It also strengthens regional collaboration and knowledge sharing among the 24 countries served by the Centre.

The launch event, held at the RCMRD Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together dignitaries, partners, and stakeholders, underscoring the political will and institutional commitment to advancing data-driven conservation.

Leaders, Malawi’s Minister of Lands Hon. Deus Gumba and Kenya’s PS for Lands Nixon Korir, and Mr. Julius Muia, Chair, RCMRD Governing Council, join RCMRD Director General Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza in launching the RCoE-ESA Map Book at the RCMRD@50 celebrations.

In their remarks, the dignitaries commended the RCoE_ESA’s leadership in leveraging spatial data for biodiversity management and equipping countries with tools to meet both national and global conservation targets.

The Map Book features over 30 thematic maps, covering topics such as land cover change, protected areas, marine ecosystems, forest degradation, and restoration initiatives. Each map is complemented with data insights and brief interpretations, making the publication a valuable resource for diverse audiences, from policymakers and practitioners to researchers and students.

Available in both print and digital formats, the Map Book reflects the Centre’s mission of bridging the gap between science and decision-making, while empowering countries to monitor, report, and act on biodiversity priorities.

By Catherine Matolo, Communications & Outreach Specialist at RCoE Project at RCMRD

“No water, no life. No blue, no green.” – Sylvia Earle

Why the Ocean is finally taking center stage and why it matters

Covering more than 70% of the Earth's surface, the ocean is our planet's life support system, regulating climate, supplying oxygen, and sustaining biodiversity. Yet for too long, it has been neglected in both political and economic decision-making. Today, however, we are witnessing a shift: global and regional conversations are finally centering the ocean.

This momentum is not only long overdue, it is essential.

The numbers speak for themselves:

• Over 90% of the world's fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited, or depleted (FAO, 2022).
• The ocean absorbs about 30% of CO₂ emissions and over 90% of excess heat caused by global warming, making it both a buffer and a victim of the climate crisis.
• Coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrasses are disappearing three to five times faster than terrestrial forests (UNEP, 2021).
• Human activities such as pollution, agricultural activities that lead to soil erosion causing coral smothering and infrastructural development like
  dredging and land reclamation, are severely threatening coral reefs, yet little action is being taken to remedy the situation.
• Plastics are choking our seas, with 11 million metric tons entering the ocean every year, a figure expected to nearly triple by 2040 without urgent action (Pew Charitable Trusts).

These numbers aren't just statistics, they’re a call to action.

From Global Declarations to Regional Action

The world’s oceans are making waves in the global policy arena and not a moment too soon. With the UN Ocean Conference set to take place in June 2025 and the Our Ocean Conference is set to happen in Kenya the first African country to host it, reflect the growing consensus that ocean health is human health, and that protecting marine biodiversity is not just an environmental imperative, but an economic, food security, and geopolitical one.

For countries in Africa, home to 30,000 km of coastline and over 38 coastal and island states, marine ecosystems are the backbone of fisheries, tourism, and community livelihoods. Local action, grounded in science and equity, must be the cornerstone of ocean conservation. 

RCoE_ESA: A Scientific and Regional Hub for Marine Conservation

At the Regional Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity, Forests and Seascape Management (RCoE), hosted by RCMRD, we understand that data drives decision-making. Our work in marine and coastal ecosystems places science at the center of conservation efforts, equipping African countries with tools and partnerships to act decisively.

Our Marine and Coastal Programme Focus on:

• Mapping marine biodiversity and tracking ecosystem change using satellite imagery and spatial data
• Collecting, harmonizing and disseminating comprehensive data on marine protected areas
• Supporting countries with data-driven national strategies aligned with meeting some of the targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
• Centralizing critical data through a unified hub, such as a geoportal, to inform policy decisions and support governance across countries, while also facilitating data contributor agreements and partnerships that promote cross-border collaboration

Our approach ensures that marine conservation is not siloed or short-term, but part of a systems-level shift toward resilient coastal communities and thriving seascapes. 

Why Regional Engagement and Collaboration Matters

The ocean is transboundary. Currents, species, and pollutants do not stop at national borders. Therefore, neither should our research nor our conservation strategies.

That’s why RCoE_ESA champions:

• Cross-border data harmonization
• Co-development of tools that integrate local knowledge with geospatial data
• Support for marine protected areas through geospatial planning and ecosystem service valuation

In doing so, we’re aligning Eastern and Southern African countries not only with each other, but also with the global ambition of 30x30, the target to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.

The Ocean at the Heart of Regional Dialogue

Events like the upcoming Blue Economy Policy Summit held in Mombasa are essential platforms for turning scientific knowledge into policy action. The summit will feature African marine scholars, policy-makers, and coastal actors discussing the way forward.

RCoE-ESA is looking forward to the scientific insights to these dialogues and advocate for solutions that bridge conservation and development.

 Conclusion

Our vision is simple: a future where African countries can sustainably develop their marine and coastal zones without compromising ecological integrity.

But we can’t do it alone.

As a regional science hub, we welcome partners, from governments and research institutions to youth groups and civil society, to join us in turning the tide.

Because the ocean doesn’t recognize borders, and neither should our actions