Luanda - President João Lourenço stressed Thursday in Luanda the importance of balancing ecosystems, as pillars and supports of humanity.
The statesman defended this position at the opening of the two-day First International Conference on Biodiversity and Protected Areas, which the Angolan capital is hosting.
Speaking to members of various governmental bodies, specialists and civil society, Lourenço stressed that this event places Angola at the center of global discussions on environmental conservation.
The President emphasized the importance of "seeing in nature that all forms of life play an important role in contributing to the balance of ecosystems," after pointing out that Angola's biodiversity is one of the most important in Africa and the world.
Lourenço pointed out that, according to data from the Ministerial Union for Nature Conservation, there are 5,000 species of plants in Angola, of which 1,200 are endemic, making the country the second on the African continent in terms of wealth of endemic plants.
The President also highlighted the fact that Angola is increasingly making a name for itself in the world, which is why the competent authorities have implemented concrete policies for the conservation, preservation and sustainable use of the biological resources at their disposal.
João Lourenço mentioned the fact that since 1992 there has been a Convention on Biological Diversity, a United Nations treaty responsible for the policies and actions of countries in this area.
The goal of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said the Angolan president, is the sustainable use of biodiversity and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
Lourenço cited the fact that the country is home to unique ecosystems and emblematic species, highlighting "the Giant Sable, a true national icon, and the Welvitcha Mirabilis, a plant that defies time with its resilience in the Namib Desert".
The President emphasized that these Angolan riches and World Heritage sites are of incalculable value for the ecological balance of the planet, and that the country's geographical location gives it a strategic role in the migratory routes of important species such as African elephants and various birds "that depend on our forests, rivers and wetlands. SC/AMP
