The focus of the conference was on “Why biodiversity is important for fighting poverty and sustainable development”. This focus was chosen because of the ongoing process towards the target of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss in 2010. This was implemented in the Strategic Plan for the “Convention on Biological Diversity”. The convention was signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and its objective was to contribute to the development of national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. It has often been seen as the key document regarding sustainable development. This has also an important relevance to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be reached within 2015.
The conference was an opportunity for policymakers, managers and scientists to have a constructive dialogue on issues that was relevant under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Over 300 participants from government, international organisations and institutions working with relevant issues were involved. Ms. Lucy Mulenkei represented Kenya at the conference. Ms. Mulenkei participated under the session “Local governance in biodiversity management”.
Ms. Mulenkei runs the organisation, “African Indigenous Women’s Network” in East Africa. The network disseminates environmental information related to the indigenous movement worldwide. It also publishes the grassroot publication Nomadic News, focusing on environmental issues. During her working years, Ms. Mulenkei has won various awards, such as the Environmental Leadership Award, the Merit Certificate for the Advancement of the rights of Pastoralist Women in Kenya, and EVE Magazine ‘Women of the Year’ Award.