Maputo National Park inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – EEAS

Maputo National Park Designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Official Recognition

Maputo National Park in Mozambique has been officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The decision was formalized during the 47th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, following a favorable recommendation from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This international collaboration underscores the principles of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, highlighting a successful partnership between national authorities and global conservation bodies to protect vital natural heritage.

2.0 Park Profile and Contribution to Biodiversity Conservation

Established in 2021, Maputo National Park integrates two historically significant protected areas into a single conservation unit covering 1,718 km². The park’s unique composition directly supports key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to environmental protection.

2.1 Park Composition

• Maputo Special Reserve: Originally created in 1960 as an Elephant Reserve, this area focuses on the protection of terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife.
• Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve: This component extends protection to Mozambique’s rich marine and coastal ecosystems.

2.2 Alignment with Global Biodiversity Goals

The park’s dual terrestrial and marine ecosystems provide a critical sanctuary for a diverse range of species, making a significant contribution to the following SDGs:

1. SDG 15: Life on Land: The park protects vital habitats for terrestrial species, including elephants, hippos, and chimpanzees, contributing to the goal of halting biodiversity loss.
2. SDG 14: Life Below Water: By safeguarding marine environments, the park ensures the conservation of marine species such as sea turtles and protects coastal ecosystems from degradation.

3.0 Implications for Sustainable Development in Mozambique

The UNESCO designation elevates the international profile of Maputo National Park, creating significant opportunities for sustainable growth and reinforcing Mozambique’s commitment to long-term environmental stewardship. This achievement is expected to catalyze progress on several interconnected SDGs.

3.1 Economic and Social Advancement

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The recognition is anticipated to attract sustainable tourism and investment, fostering economic opportunities that benefit local communities and contribute to Mozambique’s national economy.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By securing the park’s status, Mozambique strengthens its efforts to protect and safeguard the country’s cultural and natural heritage for future generations, in line with Target 11.4.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article explicitly mentions the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve, which was established to protect Mozambique’s rich marine ecosystems. The park’s composition includes a significant marine component, home to species like sea turtles, directly connecting it to the conservation of marine life.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text highlights the park’s role in protecting terrestrial wildlife, mentioning the Maputo Special Reserve’s original focus on elephants. The park is celebrated for its “extraordinary biodiversity,” including species like elephants, hippos, and chimpanzees, and its inscription as a UNESCO site reinforces its value for terrestrial ecosystem conservation.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article states that the UNESCO recognition brings “new opportunities for sustainable tourism, investment… benefiting both local communities and Mozambique’s national economy.” This directly links the conservation effort to economic development and job creation through tourism.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The achievement described is a result of international collaboration. The decision was made by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, based on a recommendation from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This demonstrates a successful partnership between a national government (Mozambique) and international bodies to achieve conservation goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 14.5: Conserve coastal and marine areas
   • By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information. The article describes the establishment of the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve as part of the larger Maputo National Park, which is a direct action towards fulfilling this target.
2. Target 15.1: Conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
   • By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. The creation and international recognition of the 1,718 km² Maputo National Park is a clear effort to conserve and protect terrestrial ecosystems.
3. Target 15.5: Protect biodiversity and natural habitats
   • Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. The article’s focus on the park’s “extraordinary biodiversity,” its role in protecting species like elephants and sea turtles, and its original name as the “Elephant Reserve” directly align with this target.
4. Target 8.9: Promote sustainable tourism
   • By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products. The article explicitly mentions that the park’s new status will create “opportunities for sustainable tourism” that benefit local communities and the national economy.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Targets 14.5 and 15.1: Coverage of protected areas
   • The article provides a direct indicator for progress: the size of the protected area. It states that Maputo National Park covers 1,718 km², combining both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. This area contributes to the national and global percentage of land and sea covered by protected areas (Indicator 15.1.2 and 14.5.1). The inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a qualitative indicator of the area’s importance.
2. Indicator for Target 8.9: Growth in sustainable tourism
   • While not providing specific data, the article implies that future growth in tourism will be an indicator of success. It points to “new opportunities for sustainable tourism, investment.” Progress could be measured by tracking the increase in tourism-related revenue, the number of jobs created in the local community, and investment flows into the region following the UNESCO recognition.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: eeas.europa.eu