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Biodiversity & Forest

Title: Africa Regional Centres of Excellence - ArcX: Biodiversity & Forest Component. 

Main Objective: The Biodiversity & Forest Component of the ArcX programme focuses on the sustainable management of biodiversity, forests, protected areas, and ecosystems across Africa. Its goal is to maintain ecosystem services essential for the well-being of local populations.

Specific Objectives:

  1. Establish Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoEs) as reference points for biodiversity data to inform policies;
  2. Develop indicators and information systems to monitor the EU-supported NaturAfrica initiative;
  3. Enhance cross-sectoral and cross-regional coordination among stakeholders to address challenges in Science, Technology, and Innovations (STI) for Africa’s green transition;
  4. Focus on metrics for decision-making, effective management of protected areas, development of forest information systems, and supporting national conservation efforts and global reporting (e.g., NBSAPs).

Starting Year: 2024
Implementation Duration: 48-54 months

Areas of Impact:

  1. Data Collection and Sharing: Harmonising and making biodiversity, forestry, and ecosystem data accessible through open-source systems;
  2. Scientific and Policy Support: Delivering scientific and policy analyses to improve regional decision-making;
  3. Capacity Building: Strengthening institutional and human capacities for better coordination among biodiversity stakeholders;
  4. Global Engagement: Collaborating with continental and global institutions like the CBD to sustain biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.

Target Groups: Continental bodies, research institutions, academia, civil society, private sector, local communities, and all African citizens.

ArcX Partners: See ArcX Partners card and the ArcX Partnership Map.

Component Coordinator: Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF).

Leading Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE): Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE) (RCoE Western Africa), Observatoire des Forets d'Afrique Centrale (OFAC) (RCoE Central Africa), Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) (RCoE Southern and Eastern Africa)

Scientific and Technical Support from EC - DG JRC: JRC Unit D6 (Nature Conservation and Observations).

Protected Areas Governance and Equity
Protected Areas Governance and Equity
Protected Area Dashboards
Protected Area Dashboards
Protected Area Management Effectiveness
Protected Area Management Effectiveness
Atlas of African Protected Areas
Atlas of African Protected Areas

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To make a selection from a map visit the Datasets Page
Available Resources
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27
Jul

CBD SBSTTA 28

The 28th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-28) will refine the scientific indicators for the GBF.
  • Nairobi, Kenya
Biodiversity & Forest
13
Jul

Esri User Conference

The Esri User Conference (Esri UC) is the world’s largest event dedicated to geographic information system (GIS) technology.
  • San Diego, California
Biodiversity & Forest
19
Oct

2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 17)

17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17).
  • Yerevan, Armenia.
Biodiversity & Forest
Biodiversity & Forest
RCMRD officially launches mandate as a Subregional Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centre
The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) officially launched its mandate as a Subregional Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centre.
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16
Jun

11th Our Ocean Conference. Opportunity for the RCoE to present its activities in the thematic area of seascapes and oceans.

In 2026, Kenya will host the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties on the vibrant Swahili Coast.
  • Mombasa, Kenya
Biodiversity & Forest Ocean
27
Jan

Subregional workshop on biodiversity monitoring and reporting

The event will mark the official launch of the RCMRD's role as a sub-regional technical and scientific support centre, as well as the establishment of its steering committee.
  • Nairobi, Kenya
Biodiversity & Forest
Biodiversity & Forest
From Data to Decisions: Building the Governance Backbone of Africa’s Natural Systems
RCMRD is releasing two complementary policy briefs which, taken together, set out a single strategic ambition: to build a transnational governance framework for ecosystems based on...
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Biodiversity & Forest
ArcX in Action: Powering Regional Collaboration Through Geospatial Innovation
A new StoryMap by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), presents the purpose, progress, and impact of the ArcX initiative as it works to strengthen...
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Biodiversity and Forest 2025 Impact and Achievements - RCoE Eastern and Southern
This StoryMap presents the purpose, progress, and impact of the RCoE initiative as it works to strengthen biodiversity conservation, sustainable land use, and climate-resilient ecosystem ...
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Réseau régional d’Aires Marines Protégées en Afrique de l’Ouest (RAMPAO)

The Regional Network of Marine Protected Areas in West Africa (RAMPAO) is an organization working for the conservation and sustainable management of Marine Protected Areas in the West African region. It covers the coastal countries of West Africa and currently includes around fifty Marine Protected Areas. RAMPAO works closely with MPA managers to promote the conservation of marine biodiversity for the benefit of local communities.

Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)

Vision
Since 1425, UCLouvain students, researchers and professors have expanded the limits of knowledge and addressed society’s challenges through the relentless pursuit of quality research.

An authoritative force in an uncertain world, UCLouvain promotes access to quality education for all. Innovation is the common thread of its education and research activities. University research imparts nuance and perspective to a world often blinded by the here and now.

Refugee Settlements
All known formal and informal settlements of forcibly displaced and stateless people in Africa from UNHCR’s GIS database as of November 2025. Population in the settlement. It may include several cate...
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