Indo-Pacific experts gather in New Delhi to strengthen sustainable management of protected areas

Experts from India, France and South Africa gathered in New Delhi for the Indo-Pacific Learning Seminar, a key initiative under the Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership (I3P), aimed at strengthening regional capacities for the sustainable management of protected areas.

Led by ONF International, the seminar provided a dedicated platform for the exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices among public decision-makers, technical experts and conservation stakeholders, all working toward a shared goal: a more resilient and ecologically balanced Indo-Pacific region.

Knowledge capitalization and field-based learning

A highlight of the seminar was the presentation by ONF International on best practices observed during the mission conducted in September in South Africa, within Kruger National Park. This session enabled participants to share concrete lessons related to biodiversity management and the conservation of large protected areas.

The seminar builds on an exchange visit organized in September 2023, during which officials from Assam State (India) were able to learn directly from the South African experience at Kruger National Park.

Field mission to Kaziranga National Park (Assam)

As part of the program, participants also took part in a field mission in Assam State, at Kaziranga National Park, addressing several key topics related to protected area management, including:

• wildlife monitoring and inventory techniques,
• research and development applied to biodiversity management,
• ecotourism as a tool for conservation and local development.

A space for international cooperation

The Indo-Pacific Learning Seminar brought together representatives from India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), forest officials from the states of Assam, Rajasthan and West Bengal, as well as experts from CIRAD, Kruger National Park (South Africa) and development finance institutions (DFIs).

The main objectives of the seminar were to:

• create a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices;
• foster a collective dynamic toward more sustainable ecosystem management;
• draw on the expertise of a wide range of stakeholders, from government officials to conservation specialists.

This seminar marks a milestone in the collective journey toward a sustainable and resilient future, reaffirming the shared commitment — particularly of AFD and its partners — to biodiversity stewardship and international cooperation.