CETAF and CEBioS seeking collaboration

On December 5th, 2024, CETAF met with CEBioS (Capacities for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development), which is also hosted by the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences. The aim of this meeting was to begin discussing shared goals and exploring collaborative opportunities.

Significantly, this reunion marks the first step in what could become a joint effort to advance biodiversity conservation and sustainable development through complementary expertise and initiatives.

Understanding CEBioS

CEBioS is a Belgian Development Cooperation programme integrating biodiversity into sustainable development frameworks. Its primary focus is fostering institutional collaborations with local partners in Benin, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Beyond these key countries, CEBioS also supports projects and activities in other nations linked to Belgian development efforts.

Approaches and Objectives

The CEBioS programme employs participatory approaches to maximise local ownership and impact. To achieve this, its core objectives include:

• First, empowering scientists in partner countries to conduct and apply biodiversity research.
• Second, supporting national authorities in sustainable ecosystem management.
• Additionally, informing policymakers to develop effective biodiversity strategies.
• Finally, facilitating synergies among development cooperation partners, civil society, and the private sector.

Highlights of the Meeting

The meeting between CETAF and CEBioS opened with informal presentations, a quick tour de table, allowing participants to share their expertise and ongoing initiatives. This dialogue showcased a range of activities and projects, spanning taxonomic research and policy-driven biodiversity actions, including some possible opportunities for collaboration.

Key Discussion Points

1. Shared Goals: Both organizations clearly emphasised their mutual commitment to promoting taxonomy and enhancing biodiversity research.
2. Knowledge Exchange: During the meeting, participants shared recent publications, reports, and other resources, thus laying the foundation for future collaboration.
3. Future Collaborations: As a result, the meeting laid the groundwork for joint projects that leverage the strengths of both CETAF and CEBioS to achieve greater impact on biodiversity conservation.

Moreover, CETAF and CEBioS both expressed their willingness to arrange follow-up meetings to solidify their joint efforts. Ultimately, this partnership promises to bring new momentum to their shared mission of conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development worldwide.

For more information about CEBioS, visit their website: https://cebios.naturalsciences.be/.