Government of Angola Moves Forward on Ensuring Protection of Luengue-Luiana and Mavinga National Parks
Combined, Luengue-Luiana and Mavinga make up the largest, contiguous protected area ecosystem with National Park status in all of Africa
Washington, DC: On September 20th 2021, at the ICCF U.S. Congressional International Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner, the Government of Angola signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with conservation organization African Parks to develop and enter into a significant 20-year management agreement for the rehabilitation, management and financing of Luengue-Luiana and Mavinga National Parks. The signing of the MoU was conducted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Tete António, in the presence of H.E. Mr. João Lourenço, President of Angola, and by Mr. Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks. The agreement was facilitated by the ICCF Group, which serves as the Coordinator of Multi-Sector Conservation and Development Investments in the southeast of Angola.
The signing demonstrates the Government of Angola’s commitment to the conservation and protection of their globally significant natural resources. Luengue-Luiana and Mavinga National Parks are the two largest parks in the country, amounting to almost 90,000km2. Together, they make up the largest contiguous protected area landscape with National Park status in all of Africa. The parks also serve as the northwest ‘anchor’ in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), an almost 520,000km2 transboundary wilderness area spanning Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. “This Memorandum is more than just intent. It is a sign of commitment to work with a true and trusted partner, African Parks, who share our vision, and in whom we have confidence to help us secure our natural heritage, that will benefit generations to come” said H.E. Mr. João Lourenço.
The memorandum between the Government of Angola and African Parks follows an initial long-term agreement made in December 2019 whereby African Parks committed to the management of Iona National Park to restore the landscape for the benefit of people and wildlife. “This is another extremely positive step for conservation in Angola, for our growing partnership, and our shared vision in adequately resourcing protected areas” said Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks.
Founded in 2000, African Parks takes on the long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments to protect wildlife, restore landscapes and ensure sustainable livelihoods for local communities. They assume complete responsibility and are accountable for all aspects of protected area management including biodiversity conservation, law enforcement, community development, sustainable financing, infrastructure, and overall governance.
ICCF played an important role in 2019 in facilitating the long-term agreement between the Government of Angola and African Parks for Iona National Park, and were again instrumental in securing this first step towards the complete management of Luengue-Luiana and Mavinga National Parks. “We are proud to partner with both the Government of Angola and African Parks, to help promote effective park management which will lead to transformational outcomes for conservation and communities” said Susan Lylis, The ICCF Group Executive Vice President.
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About African Parks: African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. They currently manage 19 parks in 11 countries including Angola, Benin, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Chad, with the goal of managing 30 parks by 2030. Please visit www.africanparks.org to learn more; or follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
The Angola Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment (MCTA) & the National Institute of Biodiversity and Conservation Areas (INBAC), Angola: MCTA is the Ministerial Department responsible for the formulation, execution, and control of the Executive’s policy regarding environmental protection. This includes the preservation and conservation of environmental quality, pollution control, terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, conservation areas and enhancement of the natural heritage, as well as the preservation and rational use of renewable natural resources. INBAC was created to ensure the implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Policy and management of the National System of Conservation Areas. Please visit https://governo.gov.ao/ao/
About The ICCF Group: The ICCF Group advances conservation leadership globally by encouraging enhanced political will within legislatures and by supporting governments in their sustainable management of protected areas. The ICCF Group's international track record in supporting legislative outcomes, public-private partnerships, & sustainable land management initiatives demonstrates that its unique model is a cost-effective, sustainable solution to conservation governance challenges. Please visit: https://internationalconservation.org/