The SBAPP Mid-Project Mainstreaming Forum, held from 2–6 June 2025 in Senga Bay, Malawi, brought together biodiversity experts, government officials, development partners and technical institutions from across Southern Africa. Hosted by Malawi’s Environmental Affairs Department (EAD), the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and SANBI, the Forum marked the midpoint of the , which is funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial.
The Forum theme, “Perspectives and lesson sharing on mainstreaming biodiversity,” provided space for participants to reflect on how national biodiversity data products like ecosystem maps, Red Lists and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are being used to inform national development strategies, and planning and decision making in a range of sectors.
Forty-seven participants from seven African countries, along with colleagues from the African Union Commission, AFD, and the Office Français de la Biodiversité (the French Biodiversity Agency, OFB), shared lessons, identified opportunities for cross-sector integration, and mapped out the next steps.
Parallel sessions explored how biodiversity information is being integrated into:
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
- National Spatial Development Frameworks
- Finance and fiscal policies
- Renewable energy planning
Participants agreed that while mainstreaming biodiversity is complex, it is vital for sustainable development. Key outcomes from the Forum emphasised:
- The need to embed biodiversity in national development goals and planning
- Strategic communication tailored to non-environmental sectors that showcases the importance of biodiversity for their sector
- Enhanced regional collaboration and knowledge sharing
- The importance of local voices, youth, and civil society in conservation
Each country will now develop national mainstreaming strategies, supported by communication initiatives and regional exchanges. The final regional event will take place in Namibia in 2027, where outcomes and impact will be showcased.