# RSB Africa

RSB Africa plays a critical role in the governance of GCRI, ensuring that global strategies are effectively adapted and implemented within the African region. By facilitating regional collaboration and providing feedback to the GSB, RSB Africa helps GCRI achieve its mission of mitigating risks, building resilience, and fostering sustainable development on a regional scale.

**Authority:**

* **Adaptation and Implementation:** RSB Africa is responsible for adapting and implementing GCRI’s global strategies within the African region, ensuring alignment with regional needs and contexts.
* **Regional Collaboration:** It facilitates regional collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, academia, industry, and civil society, proposing region-specific projects for GCRI’s consideration.
* **Representation:** RSB Africa represents GCRI in regional forums, events, and discussions, promoting the organization's mission and objectives within Africa.

**Composition:**

* **Members:** RSB Africa comprises experts, leaders, and stakeholders from various sectors within the African region, including academia, industry, government, and civil society.
* **Selection:** Members are selected based on their expertise, leadership, and commitment to advancing GCRI’s mission locally, ensuring balanced representation of regional interests and perspectives.
* **Term:** Members serve fixed terms, providing stability and continuity in regional governance.

**Key Information:**

* **Regular Meetings:** RSB Africa holds regular meetings to discuss the regional implementation of GCRI initiatives, monitor progress, and address regional challenges. Annual strategic planning sessions are conducted to align regional activities with GCRI’s global objectives.
* **Decision-Making:** RSB Africa operates through a collaborative approach, aiming for consensus among members. Decisions are made through voting when necessary, with each member having an equal vote.
* **Reporting:** RSB Africa reports to the Global Stewardship Board (GSB), ensuring their activities align with GCRI’s overall strategic direction.

**Functions and Responsibilities:**

* **Regional Implementation:** Adapting and implementing GCRI’s global strategies and initiatives to suit the unique needs and opportunities of the African region.
* **Collaboration:** Facilitating regional collaboration among National Working Groups (NWGs), academia, industry, and government entities.
* **Representation:** Representing GCRI in regional discussions and forums, promoting its mission and objectives.
* **Feedback:** Providing feedback and insights to the GSB on regional challenges, opportunities, and progress.
* **Project Proposals:** Proposing region-specific projects and initiatives for GCRI’s consideration and support.

**Relations with Other Governing Bodies:**

* **Global Stewardship Board (GSB):** RSB Africa reports to the GSB, ensuring regional activities align with GCRI’s global strategic direction.
* **National Working Groups (NWGs):** RSB Africa works closely with NWGs in Africa to facilitate the local implementation of global standards and initiatives.
* **Specialized Leadership Board (SLB):** RSB Africa coordinates with the SLB to ensure that technical and research activities within the region support GCRI’s strategic objectives.
* **Central Bureau (CB):** RSB Africa collaborates with the CB for operational support, guidance, and resources necessary for executing regional activities effectively.

**Meeting Structure:**

* **Regular Meetings:** Scheduled to discuss ongoing projects, review global updates from GCRI, and plan local initiatives.
* **Strategic Planning Sessions:** Annual sessions to align regional activities with GCRI’s global objectives and identify key regional priorities.
* **Ad Hoc Meetings:** Convened as needed to address urgent or specific regional issues, opportunities, or collaborations.

**Accountability and Reporting:**

* **Transparency:** RSB Africa maintains transparency in its operations, providing regular updates and reports to the GSB and regional stakeholders.
* **Ethics and Integrity:** Upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and governance in all activities and decisions.
* **Stakeholder Engagement:** Actively engaging with regional stakeholders, including members, partners, and external entities, to ensure inclusive and collaborative activities.

**Integration and Synergy:**

* **Collaborative Approach:** RSB Africa ensures that regional activities work in synergy with global strategies, fostering a collaborative environment for effective decision-making and implementation.
* **Strategic Alignment:** Aligning regional initiatives with GCRI’s global objectives, ensuring coherence and unified direction across all levels of governance.
* **Operational Support:** Providing the necessary oversight and support to regional operational teams, including NWGs and Competence Cells, to ensure the smooth execution of GCRI’s mission.

**Specific Initiatives and Programs:**

* **Capacity Building:** Focusing on enhancing regional capabilities in risk management, resilience building, and sustainable development through targeted training and development programs.
* **Research and Innovation:** Promoting region-specific research and innovation projects that address the unique challenges and opportunities within Africa.
* **Civic Engagement:** Encouraging active participation from regional civil society organizations and fostering a culture of collaborative problem-solving and innovation.

## STEWARDSHIP &#x20;

### West Africa&#x20;

Beyond the Sahel, coastal rainforests, and the Niger Delta, West Africa is also characterized by the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic, an area of transition between the coastal forests and the interior savannas. This region is rich in biodiversity, including endemic species and significant water resources like the Volta River basin, crucial for hydropower and irrigation. Key environmental challenges include overgrazing, deforestation, and the loss of habitat. Conservation efforts are thus also directed towards sustainable land management, protecting key biodiversity areas, and enhancing community-based natural resource management.&#x20;

### East Africa&#x20;

In addition to the Ethiopian Highlands, the Great Rift Valley, and savannas, East Africa encompasses the unique ecosystems of the Albertine Rift, home to numerous endemic species and critical for Africa's freshwater supply. The region's coastal areas, particularly the Swahili Coast, face threats from coral bleaching and overfishing. Climate adaptation strategies are extended to include the management of marine resources, conservation of coral reefs, and the promotion of sustainable fishing practices. Furthermore, the conservation of montane forests in areas like Mount Kilimanjaro and the Rwenzoris is crucial for maintaining regional hydrology and biodiversity.&#x20;

### Central Africa&#x20;

Central Africa's ecological significance extends beyond the Congo Basin rainforest to include the Miombo woodlands, stretching across Angola, Zambia, and Tanzania. These woodlands are vital for carbon sequestration and support a wide range of wildlife. The peatlands of the Cuvette Centrale in the Congo Basin, significant carbon sinks, are increasingly recognized for their role in climate regulation. Conservation strategies in Central Africa also focus on sustainable management of these woodlands and peatlands, alongside efforts to combat illegal logging and wildlife trafficking in the Congo Basin.&#x20;

### Southern Africa&#x20;

Southern Africa's ecological diversity includes the Succulent Karoo and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspots, alongside the Kalahari and Namib deserts, and the Cape Floristic Region. These areas are renowned for their unique flora and fauna, with a high degree of endemism. The Okavango Delta, an inland delta in Botswana, is another key bioregion, supporting diverse ecosystems and significant wildlife populations. Water resource management is critical across this arid and semi-arid region, with efforts focusing on the sustainable use of shared river basins like the Limpopo and Zambezi. Conservation and sustainable development strategies prioritize habitat restoration, the protection of endangered species, and the integration of ecosystem services into regional development plans.&#x20;
