Councillor Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor of Eden District Municipality (EDM), signed the Durban Commitment during the EDM Political Leader Workshop held at the end of March 2018.

Developed by local governments for local governments and the communities they serve, the Durban Commitment aims to protect and enhance biodiversity at the local level. By signing the commitment, EDM has joined a global network of cities and local governments around the world who have pledged to protect their biodiversity. Signatories of the Durban Commitment are considered to be biodiversity champions and are dedicated to considering biodiversity in all aspects of city planning and functioning.

The Political Leader workshop, where the commitment was signed, aimed to improve the Eden District Municipality political leaders’ understanding of the value of biodiversity, and wetlands specifically, and is one the key deliverables of ICLEI’s flagship biodiversity projects; Local Action for Biodiversity: Wetlands South Africa (LAB: Wetlands SA).

The workshop inspired and facilitated meaningful discussions between the political leaders and experts around wetlands and wetland management.

Key attendants at the workshop included the Executive Mayor and Councilors from Eden District Municipality, as well as Councilors from local municipalities within Eden District Municipality. Also in attendance were technical staff from Eden District Municipality (specifically the Environmental Unit, Disaster Management, Researchers and the Communications unit).