NAIROBI, Kenya — Sudan is seeking to revitalize its wildlife and conservation sector as the country steps up efforts to attract investment, strengthen environmental protection and position its rich natural and cultural heritage as a driver of sustainable development.
The Embassy of Sudan in Nairobi, under the leadership of Ambassador Kamal Gubara, convened a high-level workshop on Wednesday bringing together stakeholders to explore strategies for rebuilding the country’s conservation sector and unlocking its tourism and economic potential.
The discussions focused on wildlife conservation, protected-area management, community participation, sustainable tourism, investment and the preservation of Sudan’s natural and cultural heritage.
Participants called for renewed national, regional and international attention to Sudan’s wildlife sector, emphasizing the need to strengthen wildlife protection, improve institutional coordination and modernize the management of protected areas.
They also identified the restoration of conservation systems as a priority, with increased investment needed in conservation infrastructure, scientific research, professional training, biodiversity monitoring and sustainable natural-resource management.
Community participation emerged as a key pillar of the proposed conservation strategy. Stakeholders said communities living around protected areas must be treated as active partners and beneficiaries, arguing that conservation will be more sustainable when local populations derive tangible social and economic benefits from protecting wildlife and natural resources.
The workshop also highlighted tourism as a major opportunity for Sudan’s economic recovery and long-term development.
Participants pointed to the country’s combination of wildlife habitats, ancient pyramids, archaeological sites, historic monuments and the internationally recognized marine ecosystems of the Red Sea as assets that could support a diversified tourism industry.
Stakeholders called for greater private-sector participation and responsible investment in conservation and tourism, alongside innovative financing mechanisms capable of supporting sustainable destination development.
They argued that investment in Sudan’s natural heritage could generate economic opportunities while strengthening environmental protection and creating livelihoods for communities living near conservation areas.
Leila Osman, Deputy Director for Foreign Affairs and Organizations at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Wildlife, participated in the engagement and underscored the potential of Sudan’s heritage.
“Sudan’s natural and cultural heritage offers immense opportunities for communities and sustainable tourism,” she said.
Osman contributed to discussions on safeguarding the country’s heritage, strengthening conservation initiatives and promoting responsible tourism partnerships.
The workshop further stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation in rebuilding Sudan’s conservation capacity.
Participants identified opportunities for collaboration among governments, conservation organizations, researchers, development partners and the private sector, particularly in technical expertise, capacity building, scientific research and innovative wildlife-management approaches.
Ambassador Gubara framed the conservation agenda within a broader vision of promoting Sudan’s natural and cultural heritage while ensuring that local communities benefit from its protection.
“Conservation must generate lasting value for communities while contributing to national development,” Gubara said.
The engagement established a six-point agenda centered on strengthening wildlife protection, revitalizing conservation systems, empowering local communities, developing sustainable tourism, attracting responsible investment and deepening regional and international partnerships.
For Sudan, the initiative represents more than an effort to protect wildlife. It offers an opportunity to preserve the country’s cultural identity, strengthen environmental stewardship, showcase its heritage to the international community and create sustainable economic opportunities for future generations.
The Nairobi workshop marks a significant step towards raising the international profile of Sudan’s wildlife and conservation sector while laying the groundwork for partnerships and practical programmes aimed at restoring conservation systems and unlocking the country’s considerable natural, cultural and economic potential.
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