Advancing Mozambique's sustainable economy through partnerships for nature at FACIM 2026

The event was officially inaugurated by His Excellency President Daniel Chapo, and IUCN Mozambique Country Representative Domingos Gove attended the opening ceremony alongside government leaders, development partners, private sector representatives, and civil society organisations.

Throughout the exhibition, IUCN exhibited in partnership with its Member, the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), at the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP) Pavilion. The collaboration highlighted the importance of integrating conservation into Mozambique's broader development agenda and demonstrated how healthy ecosystems support economic growth, climate resilience, and community wellbeing.

While IUCN's primary presence was with ANAC at the MAAP Pavilion, its work was also featured in two additional exhibition spaces through partners and project beneficiaries. The MozWater Project was showcased in the Water Pavilion by project implementing partners ARA Norte and ARA Centro, while products supported through the CORE RESTOR Project were exhibited at the Inhambane Province Pavilion, demonstrating the reach and impact of IUCN-supported initiatives across multiple sectors.

Held under the theme "Digital and Energy Transformation Towards a Sustainable Economy," FACIM 2026 provided an important platform for demonstrating that conservation cannot remain confined to environmental circles alone. The event created opportunities to engage with a wider audience on the essential role of biodiversity in supporting sustainable investment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development.

Biodiversity conservation and national development

A key highlight of IUCN's participation was its contribution to a dedicated panel discussion organised by ANAC on the role of biodiversity conservation in advancing Mozambique's national development priorities.

During the session, Domingos Gove joined ANAC park managers, researchers, and academic experts to explore how investments in nature strengthen local livelihoods, build resilience to climate change, and create opportunities for sustainable economic growth. Drawing on experiences from IUCN’s French Development Agency-funded BIODEV2030 Project, Gove shared concrete examples of value chains, including shrimp, soya and sugar cane, where businesses have already committed to investing in biodiversity-friendly approaches. The discussion underscored the growing recognition that conservation is both an environmental imperative and a strategic investment in Mozambique's long-term prosperity.

Highlighting CORE RESTOR's impact

Visitors to the ANAC stand viewed audiovisual materials showcasing the achievements of the Irish Aid-funded CORE RESTOR Project, with project videos featured as part of the pavilion's rolling multimedia presentations. The screening introduced attendees to ongoing restoration and conservation efforts and demonstrated their positive impacts on coastal ecosystems and local communities.

The project's growing support for community-led blue economy enterprises was also highlighted through the participation of Mrs Victoria, an entrepreneur from the Jogo Community in Inhambane Province. Through CORE RESTOR support, Mrs Victoria attended FACIM to promote her smoked prawn products at a national level. The project also supported the development of improved product packaging, helping strengthen the marketability of her products and expand access to new customers and business opportunities.

Her participation illustrated how investments in community enterprises can generate sustainable livelihoods while supporting the responsible use and conservation of marine and coastal resources. 

Strengthening partnerships for a sustainable future

IUCN's participation at FACIM 2026 demonstrated the value of partnerships in advancing conservation and development objectives. Through collaboration with ANAC, government institutions, local communities, academia, and the private sector, IUCN showcased solutions that deliver benefits for both people and nature.

The exhibition also reinforced the importance of positioning biodiversity and ecosystem conservation within broader national discussions on economic transformation and sustainable development. By bringing conservation into one of Mozambique's most prominent trade and investment platforms, IUCN and its partners highlighted how nature underpins resilient communities, thriving businesses, and long-term prosperity.

As FACIM 2026 concluded, IUCN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen resilience, create sustainable livelihoods, and ensure that biodiversity conservation remains central to Mozambique's development journey.