IUCN at the inaugural Africa Protected Areas Congress 2022
The IUCN Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC), from 18 to 23 July 2022 in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, is the first ever continent-wide gathering of African leaders, citizens, and interest groups to discuss the role of protected areas in conserving nature, safeguarding Africa’s iconic wildlife, delivering vital life-supporting ecosystem services, promoting sustainable development while conserving Africa’s cultural heritage and traditions.

IUCN Africa Protected Areas Congress Logo
Photo: IUCN
The overarching objective of the IUCN Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) is to position Africa’s protected and conserved areas within the broader goals of economic development and community well-being and to increase the understanding of the vital role parks play in conserving biodiversity and delivering the ecosystem services that underpin human welfare and livelihoods.
Pavilions
IUCN is organising, co-organising, or supporting seven pavilions in the exhibition zone of APAC2022. These are:
- IUCN Pavilion
- East African Community (EAC) Pavilion
- Southern African Development Community (SADC) Pavilion
- Commission des Forêt d’Afrique Centrale (COMIFAC) Pavilion
- Observatoire pour la Biodiversité et les Aires Protégées d’Afrique de l’Ouest/ (UEMOA/OBAPAO) Pavilion
- RRH (Regional Resource Hub) Pavilion
- OneHealth Pavilion
Read the full agenda for all APAC pavilions here.
Events
Key IUCN-organised events at #APAC2022 include:
Tuesday, 19 July
12:00 - 14:00: EAC Pavilion: Official opening of the Pavilion
12:00 - 14:00: IUCN Pavilion: Governance, Management analysis and data flow in regional observatories: (OFAC, OBAPAO, RCMRD)
14:00 - 15:00: OBAPAO Pavilion: Official opening of the pavilion
14:00 - 15:00: COMIFAC Pavilion: Official opening of the pavilion
15:00 - 16:00: IUCN Pavilion: Presentation of the European Union's NaturAfrica
18:00 - 20:00: SADC Pavilion: Official opening of the pavilion
18:30 - 20:30: Room AD 10: Exclusive ministerial reception, Ministerial networking reception with IUCN Director-General
Wednesday, 20 July
10:30 - 11:30: IUCN Pavilion: What does it take to get an innovative finance solution off the ground?
12:00 - 14:00: Main Auditorium: IUCN Green List: A pathway towards fully effective protected and conserved areas in Africa
12:00 - 14:00: Regional Resource Hub Pavilion: Presentation of the Regional Resource Hub vision, content and approach
17:00 - 18:00: UEMOA OBAPAO Pavilion: IMET et Liste Verte en Guinée
18:00 - 19:00: IUCN Pavilion: Towards Nature-People Positive Seascapes in the Western Indian Ocean: A Great Blue Wall Showcase
18:00 - 20:00: Main Auditorium: IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award 2022 ceremony
Thursday, 21 July
10:00 - 11:00: IUCN Pavilion: La gestion des aires protégées et conservées au niveau national: défis et opportunités (high level ministerial session)
12:00 - 14:00: IUCN Pavilion: Launch of the WCPA sustainable finance specialist group
12:00 - 14:00: COMIFAC pavilion: Panel interministériel avec la COMIFAC
12.00 - 14.00: SADC Pavillion: SADC TFCA Financing Facility Donor Coordination Event
16.00 - 17:30: Room AD1: Global targets but greater emphasis on equity
16:00 - 17:30: Room MH4: Knowledge café on governance: Sharing and learning together
17:00 - 18:00: IUCN Pavilion: Future of World Heritage in Africa: Reconciling conservation and development
18:00 - 21:00: IUCN Pavilion: High-level event (10 Ministers and 5 Directors of international agencies): Partnership for monitoring the post-2020 GBF
Friday, 22 July
9:30 - 10:30: IUCN Pavilion: Great Green Wall, Protected Areas and the Great Green Wall in Nigeria: Strengths, Weaknesses and Possible Synergy.
18:00 - 21:00: IUCN Pavilion: Celebrating IUCN Green List Successes in Africa
Saturday, 23 July
11:00 - 12:00: COMIFAC Pavilion: Réunion COMIFAC et Ministres Afrique Centrale, Réunion à huit clos entre la COMIFAC et les Ministres d’Environnement d’Afrique Centrale
11:00 - 12:00: OBAPAO/UEMOA Pavilion: Réunion UEMOA/CEDEAO et Ministres Afrique de l’Ouest, Réunion l’UEMOA et les Ministres d’Environnement d’Afrique de l’Ouest
All times are local Kigali time (East Africa Time)
Learn more about the inaugural Africa Protected Areas Congress 2022 at the official website here: apacongress.africa