Cymraeg
Engaging in discussions about potential collaboration with Kew was an honour, marking another milestone in our enduring commitment to Madagascar’s conservation efforts spanning over 30 years.
Climate Change in Madagascar & its Impact on the World
This event was not just a gathering, but rather a celebration of hope, collaboration, and a shared commitment to conservation. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew & the Embassy of Madagascar in London hosted the event. This gathering was a testament to the collective efforts against the backdrop of poverty and climate change, which threaten the biodiversity richness of Madagascar, a land home to over 14,000 plant species found nowhere else on the planet. This event showcased some of the 1015 exquisite Malagasy orchids. This display was more than just an exhibition; it offered a glimpse into the vital research the Anglo-Malagasy Kew scientists conduct to safeguard the island’s unique plants and wildlife.
Richard Deverell, Kew’s Director, & Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre Team Manager, Hélène Ralimanana, underscored the critical importance of our efforts. Eminent scientists, conservationists & philanthropists were reminded that since 85% of Madagascar’s flora and fauna are found nowhere else in the world… if a plant goes extinct in Madagascar, it’s not just a loss for the island but for the world.
Similar sentiments were echoed by the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Madagascar, Max Andonirina Fontaine, and the event also honoured the long-standing partnership between Britain and Madagascar. This relationship, steeped in a history of collaboration, was celebrated as we reaffirmed our commitment to renewing contracts for protected areas in Madagascar, a critical step in preserving its unparalleled biodiversity.
Thriving Network of NGOs Committed to Climate Action
Our interactions at the event were enriched by engaging discussions with the Kew Madagascar team, including a discussion with Professor Alexandre Antonelli, highlighting a shared desire to foster collaboration between conservation NGOs like Money for Madagascar and Kew, whose conservation and livelihoods work is highly aligned. The prospect of working with the Kew team fills us with excitement, and we look forward to the synergies and collective efforts that lie ahead.
Representing Money for Madagascar at the event was our Co-CEO, Irenee, our Chair of Trustees, Felicity, and our longest-standing founder trustee, Theresa. All three were thrilled to interact with organisations making significant impacts, such as the Bezos Earth Fund, Chris Packham, Mark Steer, our partner at the University of West of England, and Mark and Lisa from SEED, one of our Solar United partners.
Celebrating Malagasy culture will also be central to the live events at the Kew Orchid Festival this month, featuring legendary artists like Hanitra from Tarika, as well as newer artists such as the Boriza band and performance poet Vao Brown, who is also a Trustee of MfM. I’ll be very sorry to miss the Malagasy food tasting provided by Lily and her team.
We look forward to collaborating with you all for conservation and cultural collaborations very soon.
We sincerely thank the Kew team and the Madagascar Embassy for inviting us to the event. We look forward to the opportunities this event has opened for future collaborations. Together, we strive to preserve Madagascar’s unique biodiversity for generations.
