The United Kingdom and Mozambique are planning investments of €9.3 million for nature conservation and the blue economy, announced today by the British diplomatic representation in Maputo.
In a note sent to Lusa, the Embassy states that the meeting between the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Nature, Ruth Davis, and the Mozambican head of state, Daniel Chapo, held on Monday in Maputo, centred on the partnership between the two countries in the areas of the blue economy, biodiversity, and climate resilience, and that they also discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation on oceans at the upcoming meetings of the United Nations General Assembly and the Conference of the Parties (COP).
The two officials also discussed expanding ocean protection to safeguard jobs, food security, livelihoods, and the resilience of communities, with Davis recognizing Mozambique’s leadership in sustainable ocean management and marine conservation.
It is added that the investment of eight million pounds (€9.3 million) includes two million pounds (€2.3 million) for a partnership with the Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (Biofund), aimed at strengthening community-led conservation and sustainable livelihoods, and up to six million for the COAST Facility through 2030, under the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, to support sustainable fishing, mangrove restoration, and climate resilience in Mozambique.
“A leadership of Mozambique in ocean conservation and in the blue economy is inspiring,” said Ruth Davis, as cited in the information, highlighting the shared ambition of the two countries to develop this partnership.
Mozambique intends to expand protected marine areas to 30% of its maritime territory by 2035.
During the Maputo visit, Ruth Davis is also expected to meet with representatives from the private sector to discuss investment in nature conservation.
