A New Era: Mount Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve officially launched

March 28, 2025, marked a historic milestone with the official launch of the Mount Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve in Suam, Trans-Nzoia County. This landmark event, spearheaded by the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM) in collaboration with UNESCO and its Ugandan counterpart, represents a significant step in the conservation of the Mt. Elgon ecosystem. It reaffirms the commitment of Kenya and Uganda to sustainable biodiversity conservation and the empowerment of local communities through the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

The launch, held at Suam, was graced by Ms. Silvia Museiya, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Wildlife (Kenya), and her Ugandan counterpart, Ms. Doreen Katusiime, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities (Uganda), alongside the Principal Secretary, State Department of Forestry (Kenya). Also in attendance was Dr. James Njogu, HSC, Acting Secretary-General/CEO of KNATCOM, who played a pivotal role in coordinating the nomination and designation process. Other dignitaries included Amb. Joash Maangi, MBS – Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda; Ms. Louise Haxthausen – Director & Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa; government officials, conservation partners, and local leaders from both nations.

A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of plaques to officially launch the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Governments of Kenya and Uganda. This MoU, developed under the leadership of KNATCOM and Uganda National Commission for UNESCO, provides a framework for joint transboundary conservation initiatives, ensuring sustainable management of the ecosystem through coordinated policies, scientific research, and community-driven conservation efforts. The National Commissions for UNESCO in both countries were recognized for their critical role in facilitating the nomination process, securing UNESCO designation, and organizing this historic launch.

To complement the conservation efforts, over 5,000 trees were planted across the Mt. Elgon landscape on both the Kenyan and Ugandan sides, a strategic move to rehabilitate degraded areas and enhance ecosystem resilience. KNATCOM, as the lead agency for UNESCO programmes in Kenya, will continue providing technical guidance, mobilizing stakeholders, and advocating for policies that promote conservation and socio-economic transformation in the region. The successful designation of Mount Elgon as Africa’s second Transboundary Biosphere Reserve and the first in East and Southern Africa marks a new era in transboundary cooperation, reinforcing Kenya and Uganda’s shared vision for sustainable biodiversity conservation and regional development.