IUCN Hosts Stakeholder Consultation Meeting on Payment for Ecosystem Services in Rwanda
Ms. Kaori Yasuda speaking at the consultation Meeting
On Tuesday, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Rwanda hosted the second stakeholder consultation and preliminary results validation meeting for the Payment for Ecosystem Services Scheme (PESS) and Restoration Opportunity Assessment (ROAM) in the Eastern Province of Rwanda.
The Payment for Ecosystem Services Scheme aims to diversify restoration financing in Rwanda and is progressing towards developing a practical model to be piloted through the COMBIO project, funded by the Swedish Government through SIDA.
In a concerted effort to combat rampant deforestation and ecological imbalances in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, the Ministry of Environment through the Rwanda Forestry Authority in collaboration with IUCN and Enabel, has revitalized the ambitious “Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change through Enhanced Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Province of Rwanda” (COMBIO) project.
This initiative spans seven districts within the province, aiming to restore degraded landscapes and promote sustainable livelihoods.
The consultation meeting brought together private sector actors, district staff in charge of agriculture and natural resources from the Eastern Province, government institutions, faith-based organizations, Rwanda Forestry Authority, and development partners, among others.
During the meeting, discussions focused on piloting PES through the COMBIO Project, currently implemented in Rwanda’s Eastern Province.
The country has committed to restoring two million hectares of land by 2030 under the Bonn Challenge. Rwanda is leading efforts to restore its natural resources and biodiversity through various techniques, including agroforestry, afforestation, protection of rivers and buffer zones, roadside plantations, and, most importantly, reintroducing native tree species to help halt biodiversity loss.
Stakeholders also deliberated on strategies to combat deforestation and ecological imbalances in the Eastern Province, emphasizing community involvement and sustainable practices, as identified in the ROAM assessment conducted earlier.
Through the implementation of PES and restoration efforts, Rwanda aims to make significant progress towards its conservation goals and contribute to global biodiversity conservation efforts.
Read also related articles on Payment for Ecosystem Services in Rwanda
- National Workshop to raise awareness on Payment for Environment Services (PES)
- Five Ways Rwanda is Investing in Ecotourism and Conservation
- Rwanda and Costa Rica Sign an MoU on Payment for Ecosystem Services
- Rwanda to Pilot Payment for Ecosystem Services with Support of Conservation International and IUCN
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