Gqeberha: The work of the South African National Parks (SANParks) is now recognised internationally as best practice for inclusive conservation, according to Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George. Through international collaboration, South Africa has strengthened partnerships with the United Nations Environment Programme, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Global Environment Facility.
According to South African Government News Agency, these partnerships ensure that South Africa’s conservation strategies align with global climate and biodiversity commitments, while leveraging international funding, technical support, and knowledge exchange. George made these remarks during the inaugural Vision 2040 Indaba, held in Gqeberha, aimed at fostering meaningful dialogue and forging collaborative actions to advance the implementation of Vision 2040.
The gathering, hosted by SANParks, was attended by stakeholders including government, farming communities, civil society, academia, the private sector, land claimant communities, and youth representatives. Discussions centred on SANParks’ new Vision 2040 strategy, which aims to link biodiversity conservation with social justice and economic empowerment through community participation. The indaba is designed to drive collaborative actions to implement a people-centred approach to conservation.
George stated that South Africa is using the platform of the Group of Twenty (G20) to share its expertise on green finance and the biodiversity economy. South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024, with a theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’. He emphasized that the G20 Presidency highlights South Africa’s role as a thought leader in inclusive conservation, with delegations from various continents visiting South African parks to observe anti-poaching strategies, community engagement initiatives, and ecological restoration programmes.
George also highlighted that South Africa is demonstrating that protecting biodiversity, empowering communities, and building resilient ecosystems are strategies that benefit nations, economies, and the planet. He explained that the G20 platform is being used to influence global policy, showcase practical solutions, and inspire other nations to adopt people-centred, sustainable, and innovative conservation practices.
Twelve months ago, SANParks unveiled Vision 2040, a strategy marking a decisive shift in how South Africa perceives conservation and the role of protected areas in society. Vision 2040 is not merely about preserving land or counting species, but about integrated conservation, linking ecological integrity, climate resilience, and human well-being.
This year, Vision 2040 has been implemented through addressing the urgent threat of rhino poaching, combating illicit wildlife crime, protecting life and livelihoods, and promoting SANParks at the G20.