Ministry of Agriculture Organizes National Conference on Eritrea’s Fauna and Flora

The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Water and Environment; Ministry of Marine Resources; Forest and Wildlife Authority; as well as the National Higher Education and Research Institute, organized a National Conference on Eritrea’s Fauna and Flora in Asmara, at the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW) conference hall on September 5, 2025. The event, which was held under the theme “Conservation of Eritrea’s Fauna and Flora Safeguards Our Future,” was attended by ministers, senior government officials, representatives from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and relevant experts.

Director General of the Regulatory Services Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Tekleab Mesghena, in his introductory remarks, emphasized the significance of this landmark event, stating that “this conference is an important milestone in our national nature conservation efforts.” Mr. Tekleab also commended the active and collaborative efforts of senior experts from the Ministry of Land, Water and Environment; Ministry of Marine Resources; Forest and Wildlife Authority; as well as the National Higher Education and Research Institute. Furthermore, he stated that thanks to all the above-mentioned government bodies, which worked hard over the past five years, about 5,000 terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora species have been identified, documented, and included in a national database.

Mr. Amanuel Negassi, representing the Minister of Agriculture, emphasized that Eritrea’s fauna and flora are the foundation of the nation’s economy, heritage, and national identity. He also urged the rehabilitation of Eritrea’s rich biodiversity by confronting challenges caused by climate change, habitat loss, unsustainable exploitation, and limited resources. Finally, he called for strong partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Mr. Tewelde Kelati, the Minister of Marine Resources (MoMR), on his part emphasized that the conservation and management of marine resources and the environment are considered important tasks of the Ministry. He, then, called for the utilization of the newly developed National Database on Fauna and Flora for informed decisions and collaborative scientific research, and also underscored the need for its enhancement through active community participation.

During the event, the General Manager of the Forest and Wildlife Authority praised the establishment of the national database, while calling for practical rehabilitation of the country’s fauna and flora and addressing the root causes of their threats.

Mr. Tesfay Gebreselasie, Minister of Land, Water and Environment (MoLWE), in his remarks, emphasized the critical role of environmental stewardship in creating a sustainable future, saying: “Biodiversity, of which flora and fauna constitute essential components, is fundamental to human health and livelihood.” He also underscored that the loss of biodiversity in general, and that of fauna and flora in particular, can be reversed through concerted nature-based actions of rehabilitation and continuous awareness-raising programs. Finally, he noted that the database will be a critical input to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2030), which is under preparation.

During the conference, papers regarding the objectives and processes of registration and documentation of Eritrea’s fauna and flora; the nature of the country’s terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora; as well as the structure and functionality of the database were presented and thoroughly discussed by participants and selected thematic groups.

Public Relations Division
Ministry of Agriculture
September 6, 2025