The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Cross River National Park have concluded two-day stakeholders and knowledge holders meeting with local, national and international participants from various groups to expound on the UNESCO Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) project.
Tribune Online gathered that the UNESCO Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) project, encompasses the linkage between indigenous knowledge, science policy, climate change and knowledge transmission.
The meeting which was held at the conference hall of Cross River National Park, Akamkpa, Cross River State, came on the heels of the approval and designation of Oban and Okwangwo Divisions in Cross River National Park, Akamkpa as Many and Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in 2020, tagged ‘National Stakeholders & Knowledge Holders Meeting On UNESCO LINKS and National Uptake of IPBES Assessment and Methods’.
In a welcome address, Director, UNESCO Regional Office, Dakar and the officer in charge of UNESCO Abuja office, represented by Dr. Moma Enang, the Head of the Natural Science Sector, UNESCO Abuja Office, noted the contribution of indigenous peoples to society by interacting with nature.
He noted further the critical need to build synergies between indigenous knowledge systems and scientific knowledge. He reiterated UNESCO’s commitment to support Indigenous peoples and local communities in addressing the issues and challenges.
The Conservator General, National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni, who was represented by Assistant Conservator General, Cornelius Oladipo Ojo, highlighted the key roles played by the indigenous peoples in the management of the Biosphere Reserve. He emphasized the need for sustainable livelihood options for them to reduce their dependence on the resources in the Biosphere Reserve.
On his part, the Secretary-General, National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Olagunju Idowu in his goodwill message, noted the importance of biosphere reserves in conducting research, while reiterating the need for biodiversity livelihoods.
The Conservator of Park, Cross River National Park, and First Female Conservator of Parks in West Africa, CP Caroline Samuel Olory presented the brief of the Oban biosphere reserve, its unique attributes, challenges and possible recommendations.
At the meeting, Dr. Enang on behalf of Nigel Crawhall, the Chief of Section, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, made a presentation that led to discussions among participants on the impact of biodiversity conservation on food shortage, the need for protection of sacred grooves across the country as well as the conservation of sites for cultural heritage, the need for Nigeria to have more biosphere reserves and for people to have better understanding of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
Participants recommended that the consultant should work closely with the National Park Service and relevant NGOs to update the report and ensure accurate coordinates.
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