Summary for policymakers of the regional assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services for Africa of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

This Report provides a critical assessment of the full range of issues facing decision-makers, including the importance, status, trends and threats to biodiversity and nature’s
contributions to people, as well as policy and management response options. Establishing the underlying causes of the loss of biodiversity and nature’s contributions to
people provides policymakers with the information needed to develop appropriate response options, technologies, policies, financial incentives and behavioral changes. The Assessment concludes that biodiversity and nature’s contributions in Africa are economically, socially and
culturally important, essential in providing the continent’s food, water, energy, health and secure livelihood, andrepresent a strategic asset for sustainable development and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.