With more than 2,500 participants from some 170 countries expected to attend,
the Vth World Parks Congress will be the largest conservation event in the
wake of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and a major global forum
for protected areas held for the first time in Africa. The World Parks Congress
is a unique once-in-a-decade event, which provides the major global forum for
setting the agenda for protected areas.
South Africa is internationally recognized as a country rich in biological
diversity, with nearly 2500 species, it has one of the richest temperate floras
in the world. One of the worlds known plant species occurs in South Africa.
In addition 15% of the world's marine fish can be found along South African
coastline, and its water bodies include some 11% of fresh water fishes. With
over 900 species, South Africa has more than 10% of the world's bird species.
The greatest loss of biological diversity is the destruction of man of natural
habitats. Protected areas, which maintain representative examples of natural
habitats, play an absolutely crucial role in maintaining biological diversity.
However, far from just being storehouses of diversity, important though, is
that protected areas have many other values. They are sources of rest, recreation,
outdoor adventure and spiritual upliftment for many people who visit them.
As South Africa, the four World Heritage Sites, the Cradle of Humankind, St
Lucia Wetlands Park, Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and Robben Island gives recognition
to the value of our heritage. Throughout the world, protected areas are being
faced with reduced financial support from governments. South Africa has over
400 publicly owned protected areas, covering nearly 6% of its surface area.
The inevitable problem of poverty and joblessness is in much respect addressed
by our system of protected areas with community involvement taking the center
stage. Partnerships are a key to sustainable protected areas, and communities
around the parks feel that they are part of the system of protected areas as
it unfolds.
Other partnerships are needed between neighboring countries to create transboundry
protected areas or "Peace Parks" and also with those sectors that have traditionally
been seen as incompatible with conservation, such as mining and industry. It
is only through alliances and partnerships that protected areas can be made
relevant to the needs of society. Alliances and partnerships are an important
focus on WPC 2003.
The questions to address by WPC have been addressed very carefully to respond
to the challenges facing the world's protected areas. This is well encapsulated
in the theme of WPC 2003: "Benefits Beyond Boundaries". WPC 2003 will provide
a valuable opportunity to address the challenges facing the managers of protected
areas and to find best practice solutions.
South Africa is very fortunate because the search for solutions will be conducted
against the backdrop of its own protected areas. Delegates will visit the magnificent
World Heritage Sites managed by Ezemvelo KZN wildlife during the mi-congress
field trips. WPC 2003 provides a valuable opportunity to develop the potential
of our protected areas to meet the needs of society, and we have much to learn
and much to contribute.
In-country expenditure by participants; Focus of international
interest on the national system of protected areas, thereby creating scope
to secure more international assistance; Encouragement of park-related
tourism to the country;
Raising the national profile of the host country in
the region and beyond.
Specific benefits to South Africa is directly related
to the specific outcomes the Congress are aiming for and are as follows:
South Africa will actively participate
in the working groups to ensure that regional and national strategies and
policies regarding our PA's are included into policies and strategies developed
at the Congress. To ensure that our vision for South Africa and Africa
as a continent are included in the 100-year vision for protected areas
called the "Durban Accord". To ensure that the development of guidelines
and tools for protected area specialists who interpret the "Durban Accord"
reflects South Africa's inputs To ensure the stimulation of our economy through
the development of products aimed at improving PA conservation in South Africa
and Africa as a whole South Africa will ensure participation of itself and
other Africa countries in the regional reviews towards the "State of the
Parks" report.
To ensure that global awareness of
the role of protected areas in South Africa and Africa are increased.
South Africa is fortunate in that the search for solutions
at WPC 2003 will be conducted against the backdrop of its own protected areas.
Delegates will visit one of the two World Heritage Sites in KwaZulu Natal,
the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park or the uKahlamba-Drakensberg Park during
the mid-congress field trips. Visits to other protected areas in South Africa
will be provided in pre- and post-congress tours. The specific benefits
for provincesThe following benefits for provinces will be achieved
at the Congress:
The drafting of the "Durban Accord",
an articulated and broadly agreed 100-year vision for protected areas.
The shape and future of PA's on the global, national and provincial level
will be determined and will include South Africa's perspective. Ensure
that national obligations towards international conventions are applicable
to the management of protected areas. National obligations relating to
protected areas under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), will
be actioned at COP 7 in 2004.Policy changes and investments aimed at the
bioregional approach are effected at the national, provincial and local
level. The profile of protected area managers is raised, their capacity
enhanced and the perception of protected area managers as professionals
are increased.Significant strengthening of support and action for protected
areas in Africa. This will also ensure support for protected areas managed
by provincial authorities in South Africa and will ensure the delivery
of significant benefits to the people of the region.Global resources and
budgets for protected areas are increased as a direct outcome of the WPC.
Short term (10 years) and longer term
visions and plans for protected areas are articulated. It will be ensure
that practical and applicable visions and plans are developed for protected
areas in South Africa and the region.
Sponsoring the attendance of delegatesThe
IUCN, in the interest of ensuring equitable participation in WPC 2003, has
set the following criteria for participants:
15% are youth 10% from the private sector 10% are from
community organisations Key NGOs, donors and partners are represented
Priority is given to partners working in innovative
projects related directly to the conference programme and its outputs.
In addition, there should be a 70:30 split between those
working directly within protected areas and those in other related areas,
as well as an appropriate race and gender balance.It will clearly not be
possible to achieve this equitable balance unless registration, accommodation
and travel can be sponsored for those participants who do not have the means
to meet the costs for themselves. Contributions from provincial governments
to deserving participants would be of value.The Opening CeremonyThe
opening ceremony is of particular importance because it will set the tone
for a warm welcome from all of South Africa to the WPC participants. It must
give an inviting glimpse of what we have to offer, and provide a long-lasting
enticement for visitors to further explore our country. To ensure an appropriate,
broad-based welcome, your province is invited to participate through your
protected area agencies in planning an unforgettable opening ceremony, and
to consider appropriate investments to ensure its success. The Registration
HandbookThe host country must produce a handbook as a general guide
to the delegates at WPC 2003. The handbook will provide relevant information
about the facilities on offer at the congress, logistical arrangements, site-seeing
opportunities in Durban, as well as general information on South Africa.
Investment in this handbook is particularly appropriate for the host province.
However, your province may wish to consider contributing to its content,
and also investing in part of the costs. The Mid-Congress ToursAs
part of the WPC programme, delegates will be undertaking a mid-congress field
tour to the Drakensberg and St Lucia Wetland World Heritage Sites. This represents
a unique opportunity to profile these areas as ecotourism destinations. The
host province will find it well worthwhile investing to ensure that these
trips are an unforgettable success. Appropriate investments could include
payment for appropriate experts to address the participants, and provision
of participants with information brochures relevant to the themes that are
to be discussed during the field trips.Direct financial allocation
A preliminary estimate of the cost of meeting in-country
responsibilities for the Congress is R18,5 million. This cost is to be covered
through the raising of donations and sponsorships. This is being undertaken
by a professional fundraising agency. Due to the risk involved with fundraising,
the South African Government has undertaken to underwrite the in-country
costs. By taking the benefits flowing from the Congress to the provinces
into account, it is proposed that direct financial allocation of R1 million
by your province towards the covering of the in-country costs of the Congress
be considered.
