NAIROBI, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Sub-Saharan African nations should prioritize transparent and inclusive management of their abundant natural assets as they embark on hastening the transition to a green and resilient future, campaigners said Friday.

The campaigners who spoke at a briefing in central Kenya's industrial town of Thika stressed that by embracing sound ecological governance, the continent will be well-placed to tame the climate crisis, food insecurity and rural poverty.

Fassil Gebeyehu Yelemtu, the general coordinator of the African Biodiversity Network, said that enactment of policies that promote accountability and equity in the management of natural resources will not only unlock the continent's potential but also enhance its capacity to cope with climate emergencies.

In addition, Gebeyehu said grassroots-led efforts to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution will revitalize the green and food security agenda in Africa.

Green campaigners from the Global South including Africa will on hold a forum on Aug. 8-13 in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki to discuss new low-carbon and resilient development pathways.

Under the auspices of the Global Tapestry of Alternatives, a platform that fosters mutual learning and collaboration to reimagine social, economic and ecological order, 60 campaigners from 25 countries are expected to adopt resolutions calling for climate justice, equality, food and energy sovereignty.

Simon Mitambo, a member of Global Tapestry of Alternatives from Kenya, said that by investing in home-grown interventions, African nations will be able to withstand climatic shocks, habitat loss and food insecurity more effectively.

African countries should empower local communities to have autonomy over their agricultural systems and biodiversity hotspots in order to win the battle against the climate crisis, he said.

"Communities should have sovereign powers to decide how they want to manage their own resources, reorganize farming and utilization of land as they play a major role in responding to climate change and biodiversity loss," Mitambo said.

A multilateral environmental governance system should be realigned with the needs and aspirations of Africa's grassroots communities whose livelihood is dependent on the health of ecosystems, he added. Enditem

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