GABORONE, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary, Stergomena Lawrence Tax has challenged citizens of the bloc to take collective action in preventing biodiversity loss and unlock the wealth in the region's biological resources.
"Let us sustainably use biodiversity through value addition and bio-trade to reap the benefits of nature, while preserving it for the present and future generations," said Tax in a statement issued on Friday to commemorate this year's World Environment Day.
The Southern African Development Community is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana.
She said the region needs to be the inseparable part of nature.
"The water we drink, the air we breathe and the soil we use for agricultural production are just a few examples of the benefits that we derive from nature," said Tax, adding that the benefits of nature should motivate people to take action towards the restoration of biodiversity.
This year's World Environment Day is being celebrated under the theme: "Time for Nature" and "Biodiversity".
Meanwhile she highlighted that SADC has adopted instruments that reflect its resolve and commitment to biodiversity conservation such SADC Protocol on Environmental Management for Sustainable Development, and SADC Regional Biodiversity Strategy. Enditem
