@shabait
Sep 6, 2025
The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Water and Environment; Ministry of Marine Resources; Forest and Wildlife Authority; and the National Higher Education and Research Institute, organized a National Conference on Eritrea’s Fauna and Flora in Asmara. The conference was held at the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW) conference hall on 5 September, 2025. The event, conducted under the theme
was attended by Ministers, senior government officials, representatives from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and relevant experts.Conservation of Eritrea's Fauna and Flora Safeguards Our Future,
Director General of the Regulatory Services Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Tekleab Mesghena, in his introductory remarks, emphasized the significance of this landmark event, stating that
Mr. Tekleab also commended the active and collaborative efforts of senior experts from the Ministry of Land, Water and Environment; Ministry of Marine Resources; Forest and Wildlife Authority; and the National Higher Education and Research Institute. Furthermore, he noted that, thanks to the efforts of these institutions over the past five years, about 5,000 terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora species have been identified, documented, and included in a national database.this conference is an important milestone in our national nature conservation efforts.
Mr. Amanuel Negassi, representing the Minister of Agriculture, stressed that Eritrea’s fauna and flora are the foundation of the nation’s economy, heritage, and identity. He urged the rehabilitation of Eritrea’s rich biodiversity by addressing challenges posed by climate change, habitat loss, unsustainable exploitation, and limited resources. He also called for stronger partnerships with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Minister of Marine Resources, Mr. Tewelde Kelati, emphasized that the conservation and management of marine resources and the environment are central tasks of his Ministry. He called for the utilization of the newly developed National Database on Fauna and Flora for informed decision-making and collaborative scientific research, underscoring the need to enhance it through active community participation.
During the event, the General Manager of the Forest and Wildlife Authority praised the establishment of the national database, while calling for practical steps toward rehabilitating the country’s fauna and flora and addressing the root causes of threats to biodiversity.
Mr. Tesfay Gebreselasie, Minister of Land, Water and Environment, highlighted the critical role of environmental stewardship in ensuring a sustainable future, stating:
He underscored that the loss of biodiversity, particularly fauna and flora, can be reversed through concerted nature-based rehabilitation actions and continuous awareness-raising programs. Finally, he noted that the database will serve as a critical input for the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2030), currently under preparation.Biodiversity, of which flora and fauna constitute essential components, is fundamental to human health and livelihood.
During the conference, papers were presented and discussed on the objectives and processes of registering and documenting Eritrea’s fauna and flora, the characteristics of the country’s terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, and the structure and functionality of the database. Participants and selected thematic groups engaged in thorough discussions on these topics.