This press release was prepared by the NEPAD Agency for the launch of these web pages on May 18, 2017.
Johannesburg, May 18 – The African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100) launched a new web platform today – AFR100.org – to celebrate and advance the efforts of 22 African countries that have committed to restore more than 75 million hectares of degraded and deforested land.
The new site, available in English and French, gives visitors unprecedented access to knowledge and information about restoration efforts in the sub-Saharan countries. Africa has the largest restoration opportunity of any continent in the world – more than 700 million hectares of degraded land, or an area the size of Australia. This degraded land can be restored to forests or mosaic landscapes that are a mix of trees and agriculture, providing many benefits.
AFR100 is a country-led partnership to restore degraded and deforested land in Africa. AFR100 and its web platform AFR100.org respond to the African Union mandate to bring 100 million hectares into restoration by 2030. The initiative was launched in 2015 by the NEPAD Secretariat, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via GIZ, WRI, and the World Bank. AFR100 is supported by funds from BMZ and the World Bank and was established as part of the African Resilient Landscapes Initiative, and contributing to the global commitments of the Bonn Challenge and New York Declaration on Forests.
Mamadou Diakhite, AFR100 Secretariat Manager at NEPAD Agency announced the launch of AFR100.org: “This website will provide our partners and online visitors with a vast amount of immediate, easy-to-navigate content detailing the exciting restoration work taking place across the continent.
“This includes beautiful photographs and in-depth information prepared by the AFR100 member countries who take pride in their restoration efforts.”
Through AFR100, national governments, public and private sector partners, international development programs and local communities will restore productivity to deforested and degraded landscapes to improve livelihoods.
Wanjira Mathai, co-chair of the Global Restoration Council and chairperson of the Green Belt Movement, said: “The importance of AFR100 to the daily lives of communities across Africa cannot be overestimated.
“I am moved by the countries that have already committed to transforming their landscapes and securing the future for generations to come.”
Sean DeWitt, Director of the Global Restoration Initiative at World Resources Institute (WRI) added: “The site reflects the high level of commitment from member countries of the AFR100 partnership, and will enable partners to share experiences and good practices, as well highlighting the work of restoration champions from across the continent.”
The new site complements related tools and resources found at InfoFLR.org, as well as the websites of the Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, the Landscapes for People, Food and Nature Initiative, and the World Bank among others.
