Thursday 12 Jun 2014 @ 15:10
Wired-GOV Newswire (news from other organisations)
Wired-GOV Newswire (news from other organisations)
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WWF - Oil Company Soco not to drill in Virunga World Heritage Site
London –
Soco International PLC will end its operations in Virunga, Africa’s
oldest national park and commit to remain out of all other UNESCO World
Heritage Sites, the London-listed oil company announced
recently.
WWF is campaigning to protect
Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the site of
Soco’s controversial oil exploration activities.
“Today is a victory for
our planet. Congolese people around Virunga were joined by scientists and
lawyers, activists and artists, governments, investors and WWF supporters
worldwide to remove the immediate threat of oil exploration.” said David
Nussbaum, Chief Executive of WWF-UK. “Now is the time for the Government
of the DRC to reaffirm its conviction that Virunga has outstanding
universal
value for all humanity - by cancelling all oil concessions which overlap the park, as requested by UNESCO.”
In October 2013, WWF filed a
complaint against Soco under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The
company’s commitment comes following mediation between the two parties as
part of this process.
Soco will withdraw from Virunga
after concluding its current operational activities, which include seismic
testing in Lake Edward, within a month. The company pledges not to drill for
oil in the park, which WWF warns could lead to severe environmental
damage.
“If free from the threat
of oil, Virunga can be a continuing source of hope for the people of DRC. As in
other African countries, with proper investment this park can become a leading
economic driver for its communities,” said Raymond Lumbuenamo, Country
Director of WWF-DRC. “This is the moment for the international community
to support DRC to help us bring lasting change that will ensure Africa’s
first national park remains the mother park of
Africa.”
Virunga is host to invaluable
biodiversity and rare animals such as the legendary and critically endangered
mountain gorillas. Additionally, over 50,000 families depend on the
park’s Lake Edward for jobs, food and drinking water. In an independent report commissioned by WWF, researchers
found that the park could grow in value to over US$400 million annually through
activities such as ecotourism and fishing.
WWF believes today’s
commitment sends a message that World Heritage sites and other fragile natural
areas must be protected, and the organisation will continue to fight for these
places.
“For over 750,000 citizens
who stood up to protect Virunga we have a clear message: our work is not
done.” said David Nussbaum. “We have more to do in Virunga and we
must now extend our effort to work with businesses, the investment community
and governments around the globe to remove the increasing pressures that put
this and other World Heritage sites in danger.”
Later this month governments
will gather in Doha, Qatar for the annual meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage
Committee to discuss the conservation status of Virunga, the Great Barrier Reef
in Australia, the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania, Doñana National Park
in Spain, and other sites of concern.
CONTACT
For more information or to speak
with a WWF representative from Europe or DRC please contact:
Richard
Eaton on 01483 412383 or 07824 416746.
Images of Virunga National Park
are available for media use here:https://photos.panda.org/gpn/external?albumId=4503.
ABOUT
WWF
Editor’s
notes
WWF is one of the world’s
largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million
supporters and a global network active in more than one hundred countries.
Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on
safeguarding the natural world, creating solutions to the most serious
environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature thrive.
Visit wwf.org.uk/virunga for additional resources and follow us
@WWF_UK
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