“Signing of a crucial agreement for the creation of a biosphere reserve in the Jeta – Pecixe – Cacheu landscape: Wetlands International strengthens its commitment in Guinea-Bissau”
As part of its “Wetlands For Resilience” initiative, Wetlands International Africa – West Coast and Gulf of Guinea (WIACO), represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Ibrahima THIAM, signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation with the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP), represented by its Director, Ms. Aissa Régalla de Barros. This agreement relating to the Jeta – Pecixe – Cacheu landscape is of crucial importance and concerns the ambitious project of creating a biosphere reserve in this region.
With the same aim of expanding its environmental partnership in Guinea-Bissau, a delegation led by Executive Director Ibrahima Thiam, accompanied by Technical Director Richard Dacosta, and Program Officer Abdoulaye Ndiaye, met with His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Action, Viriato Luis Soares Cassama, with the aim of strengthening collaborative relationships between WIACO and the Guinean authorities. This meeting provided an opportunity to inform the Minister about the organization’s new initiatives. The Minister reiterated his support for Wetlands International.
The Wetlands International delegation also held constructive discussions with Mouhamed Hama Garba, FAO Resident Representative in Guinea-Bissau, and Aliu Gomes, Coordinator of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program. These high-level discussions explored prospects for future collaboration in the field of conservation, food security and livelihoods of wetland-dependent populations.
WIACO’s deep commitment lies in the preservation and protection of wetlands for the benefit of the community, particularly the populations living near wetlands. Wetlands International continues to work tirelessly with national stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of this natural heritage.