Uganda, one of the top ten most biodiverse countries on the planet, faces alarming deforestation rates due to illegal logging, unsustainable agricultural practices, urbanization and other factors. This deforestation not only threatens the country's vast biodiversity – counting 11% of the world’s bird species, 19% of Africa’s amphibian species, and 53.9% of the Earth’s remaining population of mountain gorillas – but also poses severe implications for ecosystem services, human livelihoods, and health. Uganda's Leaders’ Pledge made at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change CoP26 in 2021 committed to end deforestation by 2030, and underscored the critical nature of this issue within a global context.
The Government of Uganda and the European Union signed the Forest Partnership in November 2022 with a view to promote improved governance and sustainable use and management of forests and to address deforestation and forest degradation among some of the key goals. In this context, UNODC has been selected as one of the implementing partners for the implementation of the 2023 roadmap.
The partnership between the European Union and Uganda in addressing Uganda's deforestation represents a strategic response to an urgent environmental challenge. By adhering to international commitments such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and CITES, this effort not only seeks to conserve Uganda's biodiversity but also contributes to the global fight against climate change. The focus on strengthening legal, institutional, and enforcement capacities aims to ensure the preservation and sustainable management of Uganda's forests for future generations, showcasing the effectiveness of international cooperation in promoting environmental conservation and sustainability.
Under the Global Programme on Crimes that affect the Environment, UNODC is providing strategic support and technical assistance through the project Combating deforestation and forest degradation in Uganda through the criminal justice system. The project, funded by the European Union, started in January 2024, has a duration of four years and will focus on:
For additional information please contact our Africa Coordinator, Mr. Giovanni Broussard, at unodc-cae[@]un.org
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