High-Level Excursion to Gondwanaland and Geopark: 9 – 12 May 2022
As part of the process for engaging Namibia to the UNESCO Global Geoparks programme, the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism led a High-level excursion from 9 - 12 May 2022 to the Namibian main geological heritage identified for the proposed Gondwanaland as a potential first Namibia Geopark.
The excursion was supported by the GIZ-Biodiversity Economy Project jointly with UNESCO and was attended by high-level officials from the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture, the Natural Resources Standing Committee of the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia, Erongo and Kunene Regional Governors, UNESCO Representative to Namibia, Namibia National Commission for UNESCO and the national heritage council, politicians, senior management officials, and the Geopark Interim Taskforce members to the Gondwanaland Geopark.
The main objective of the excursion was to equip the participants with adequate knowledge about the value of the geopark including its cultural, environmental and geological heritage.
The three-day excursion was attended by - Hon. Kornelia Shilunga, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Hon. Heather Sibungo, Deputy Minister of Environment, Tourism and Forestry, Mr Gerard Vries representing the Deputy Minister of Education Arts and Culture and members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, regional leaders - Hon. Marius Sheya, Kunene Governor and Hon. Neville Andre Itope, Erongo Governor, senior government officials, traditional authority representatives and members of the national Geopark Interim Task Force.
The Geopark Interim Task Force led by Dr Gabi Schneider, Director of the Namibian Uranium Institute, guided the 45 participants through the proposed Gondwanaland Geopark area to foster better understanding of the geopark features, the needs of the stakeholders (Conservancies, Traditional Authorities, Tourism Operators, Small-Scale Miners, other players) on the landscape management and conservation, and to enable the participants to become ambassadors of the Geopark initiative.
Activities undertaken included local stakeholder consultations and site visits to notable geo-heritage sites – Spitzkoppe, Brandberg (Daures) and Twyfelfontein and cultural site, the Damara Living Museum. The programme also included a visit to the Aquaculture Plant and the Uis Tin Mine in the town of Uis. On the last day, the delegates tracked rhinos in the Twyfelfontein area, guided by the Save the Rhino Trust.
During the daily briefings, the importance of community consultations and community inclusion in activities of the Geopark was highly emphasized. Community empowerment relating to research and knowledge sharing were particularly highlighted. Speakers noted the importance of passing legislations in order to press on the legacy of the protection of our cultural, environmental and geological heritage, while bearing in mind that the Geopark will be an important contributor to Brand Namibia. Kunene Governor, Hon. Marius Sheya stressed that “Details and practicality are important aspects to thoroughly revisit, because the Geopark initiative will be an important part of citizens’ livelihoods”.
UNESCO, GIZ Namibia and the Namibia and German National Commissions for UNESCO confirmed their commitment to further support the government to advance the Geopark nomination process. Commitments were made to further engage comprehensive community consultations, and organize a public hearing to the members of parliament on the UNESCO Global Geoparks programme, the required national steps for the completion of the Gondwanaland nomination dossier including the processes and passing of the Wildlife and Protected Areas Management Bill to facilitate the proclamation of the identified site as a national Geopark, a precursor to the UNESCO Global Geoparks designation