NAIROBI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Kenya called for enhanced international collaboration on Wednesday to protect wildlife and safeguard critical ecosystems across regional habitats.
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano stated that Kenya's extensive network of protected areas positions the nation at the center of global efforts to conserve bird species and broader biodiversity.
"When we protect flyways, we safeguard the wetlands that purify our water, the forests that stabilize our climate, and the landscapes that sustain all human life," Miano told delegates attending an international conference in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Kenya is hosting more than 120 global conservation partners in Nairobi for the BirdLife International Global Partnership Meeting and Global Flyways Summit 2026 from last Friday.
The five-day conference has convened conservation leaders, researchers, and policymakers from across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific to formulate unified strategies for safeguarding migratory birds and the critical ecosystems that sustain them along international flyways.
Miano said Kenya's conservation infrastructure encompasses 23 national parks, 28 national reserves, and over 160 community conservancies, providing critical habitats for resident and migratory wildlife.
She said the country is home to more than 1,100 bird species, including resident and migratory species that rely on habitats along international flyways.
Miano emphasized that the participation of high-level delegation leaders is vital for bridging international conservation policy with scientific research and community-driven field initiatives.
"Their combined vision bridges international policy, scientific rigor and grassroots execution," she said.
Miano noted that the summit also presents a key opportunity to forge new strategic partnerships and direct targeted funding toward ecosystems facing critical environmental pressure.
"The Global Flyways Summit is our opportunity to align global plans, forge bold partnerships, and direct crucial funding to where it is needed most," she said.
Miano noted that the protection of migratory routes yields broader environmental and economic benefits, as these same wetlands, forests, and other critical habitats provide essential ecosystem services to local communities. ■