Updates on discussions during the GBIF-Africa meeting

Meeting Summary

From 27th to 29th November 2024, GBIF-Africa held its annual Regional meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe. Professor Jean Cossi GANGLO, in his capacity as GBIF-Benin node manager, attended the meeting.

Through extensive exchanges, the meeting enabled participants to:

• Identify priority actions to address the very low percentage (< 3%) of African biodiversity data published on the GBIF website.
• Strengthen nodes' capacity in mobilizing, cleaning, and publishing biodiversity data.
• Enhance collaboration so that advanced node managers support less experienced ones.
• Explore funding opportunities to support data mobilization and related activities.

Key Outcomes

• Improved cooperation between GBIF nodes and biodiversity focal points to help achieve CBD’s Kunming-Montreal objectives.
• Use of GBIF-Benin data to support conservation through the identification of threatened species.
• Use of GBIF-Benin data to develop biodiversity indicators.
• Contribution to the revision of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

Future Project Opportunities

The meeting also discussed the upcoming "Biodiversity Information for Development (BID)" project, which will launch in September 2025 across the African region. The themes will focus on capacity building and biodiversity data mobilization.

The initiative will cover institutional, regional, and trans-regional projects. Participants are encouraged to prepare and apply for these opportunities once the calls are open.