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Opening the session, Mr Guilio del Federico, First Secretary of the Permanent Delegation of Italy to UNESCO, and Mr Marco Valleri, Direction General of Biodiversity and Sea of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security of Italy, introduced the Earth Network. This initiative, launched in 2021, connects over 380 experts from more than 60 countries to harmonise scientific, local, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Together, they work alongside stakeholders in UNESCO-designated sites providing technical advice, data collection and training, while fostering partnerships of the UNESCO Biodiversity Portal, the world's first global database dedicated to ecosystem management and resilience.

The webinar journeyed across Africa, beginning with insights from Mary Nyasimi, UNESCO National Programme Officer at the Regional Office for Eastern Africa. She spotlighted 13 missions spanning biosphere reserves in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and beyond. These stories illustrated the Earth Network's grassroots approach to tackling environmental challenges.

In Madagascar, for example, the Mananara Nord Biosphere Reserve became a hub for community-led conservation, as shared by Liliane Parany of Madagascar’s MAB Committee. Training sessions equipped locals and park staff with tools like QGIS mapping software to manage fisheries sustainably, bridging the gap between technical expertise and community engagement.

In Zambia’s Kafue Flat Biosphere Reserve, a mission led by John Lukonde Chongo and UNESCO volunteer Vongani Maringa centred on creating a community-driven management plan. Traditional leaders spearheaded discussions on financing biodiversity efforts through ecotourism while preserving cultural heritage, a model demonstrating the power of local leadership in conservation.

Ecosystem services took centre stage in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara and Jozani Chwaka Bay Biosphere Reserves. Volunteer expert Karima Oustadi examined how these sites provide vital benefits such as clean water, crop protection, and resilience against climate shocks. Meanwhile, Dese Yadeta Edesa highlighted an innovative revenue-sharing scheme that channels ecotourism income directly to local communities, blending conservation with sustainable livelihoods.

The Earth Network project exemplifies UNESCO’s commitment to placing communities at the core of conservation. By valuing Indigenous knowledge and fostering local partnerships, the initiative supports Africa’s ecosystems while advancing global goals such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This webinar underscored the vital role of Africa's rural communities as stewards of biodiversity and key contributors to sustainable development. Initiatives like the Earth Network amplify their voices and harness their expertise, fostering collaborative approaches to achieving balance between human well-being and the natural environment.