The Buea forum will set the foundation for the African symposium on climate change.

The rapid degradation of our rich mangrove ecosystems through unsustainable exploitation has been identified as a threat to valuable national heritage. To map adaptive strategies to climate change and the management of the fragile mangrove ecosystems, the Cameroon Mangrove Conservation Network (CMN), began organizing a forum (March 15 - 17) at the University of Buea .

Stakeholders are delving on topics that will have an impact on the sustainable management of our mangrove ecosystems. Climate change impacts on marine and coastal areas; assessing resilience of mangroves and developing adaptation strategies; creating awareness on impacts of climate change on marine and coastal areas; the 2010 - 2014 strategic action plan; are among the key presentations during the forum.

Efforts made by government for the sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems in Cameroon were highlighted by the Legal Adviser at the South West Governor's office, Denis Ahkali. He noted that the Cameroon government ratified the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994 and has forged partnership with civil society organizations like the WWF, IUCN, national NGOs and international networks. In the same vein, the National Coordinator of the Cameroon Mangrove Conservation Network, Gordon Ajonina expressed optimism that the forum will bring out better ways of working with major stakeholders and it will "set the foundation for the African symposium on climate change vulnerability assessments of mangroves and adaptation to climate change to be held in Cameroon."

For the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Professor Vincent P.K. Titanji, his institution has much to gain from a forum on the exchange of words that is also a breeding ground of ideas for the efficient management of our rich mangrove ecosystems. He called for rational actions to safeguard one of the most productive ecosystems in the world full of edible fish and timber.