new biodiversity and climate initiative presented to Kenyan President Ruto

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Kenya's President William Ruto met with leading conservationist Azzedine Downes, President and CEO of IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), to discuss the importance of biodiversity in combatting climate change.

Downes introduced the new conservation-led initiative "Room to Roam" to President Ruto during their meeting. It is intended to ensure that biodiversity—including wildlife—are recognized as critical factors in the fight against global climate change. The Room to Roam Roundtable is a first step in attracting conservation investment across the region.

"President Ruto's support and that of Kenya will be key to the success of Room to Roam, a long-term plan to protect critical landscapes from Southern to East Africa to allow both wildlife and people to flourish", says Downes. "This will be fundamental to ensuring a meaningful shift in reducing the impact of climate change".

Over the past 20 years IFAW has invested more than US$40M in conservation of wildlife and in education and health services for communities that live with wildlife in Kenya.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently called for "a giant leap on climate ambition" and the need to drastically reduce emissions. Ruto spoke out at the recent UN Climate Change Conference (CoP27) to emphasize the need to include both biodiversity and wildlife as critical factors in reducing those emissions in the first place — a view keenly supported by IFAW.

"As wildlife and people run out of space, IFAW's Room to Roam initiative ensures stable elephant populations by securing key habitats, by bringing people together, and by creating safe passages for elephants and other wildlife to move freely," said Downes.

"If wildlife has access to healthy habitat for both food and water, as well as the natural space to thrive, it will result in greater biodiversity and ultimately produces a natural resilience to climate change. A better solution for us all."

• CEO and President Azzedine Downes and James Isiche, Africa Director IFAW will be available for interviews upon request.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans, and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we're up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations, and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org.

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SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare