5th Joint Coordination Committee Meeting kicks off

The Conservator of Forests from the Forestry Services of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Vishnu Tezoo, representatives of Forestry from 13 SADC Member States, officials from SADC Secretariat as well as JICA officers were present.

In his opening remarks, the Conservator of Forests highlighted the importance of forests, which help to build resilience and create the conditions that support food security, and their environmental benefits. The 5^th JCC Meeting, he pointed out, emphasises the importance of forests conservation and protection of natural resources in addressing forest degradation, deforestation, food security and natural disasters, among others.

Mr Tezoo stated that the Mauritian Government recognises the importance of forests and their benefits in the sustainable development of the country owing to their environmental, economic, social and ecological functions. Mauritius, he said, is putting in place policies and strategies so as to increase the area covered by forests, such as, the National Forest Policy of the Strategic Plan 2016-2020 for the Food Crop, Livestock and Forestry sectors. The SADC/JICA project is beneficial to Mauritius in terms of training programmes, capacity building, and learning experiences from other countries, and will help decision makers to promote and develop a sustainable approach for forest management and conservation, he added.

SADC/JICA project and 5^th JCC Meeting

This project will support capacity building in forest information, forest fires, and participatory forest management with the SADC. Such efforts will contribute in enhancing capabilities of some 15 SADC nations and the SADC Secretariat so as to promote sustainable forest resource management. The project’s expected outcomes are: organising regional Forest Information Systems; supporting the integrated Forest Fire Management; and supporting Participatory Forest Management.

During the 5^th JCC Meeting, which is being held from 14 to 16 May 2019, participants will, among others, review the record of the 4^th JCC Meeting and matters arising; report on the overall progress after the 4^th JCC; receive an update on the budget situation 2019/2020; and be presented with the annual work plan for 2019/2020 with regard to Forest Information System, Forest Fire Management and Participatory Forest Management.