ARCOS is the only regional conservation organisation with the sole focus on the Albertine Rift biodiversity conservation. Its overall goal is to enhance conservation of critical ecosystems and promote sustainable development in the Albertine Rift through collaborative actions between various partners in the region.
ARCOS is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee in the United Kingdom. It is also registered in Uganda with a Regional Coordination Office in Kampala.
Mission and Objectives
ARCOS was established in 1995 with the following mission: “to enhance biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources of the Albertine Rift through the promotion of collaborative conservation action; awareness raising; and biodiversity information exchange in the region.”
The objectives of ARCOS as articulated in its constitution are the following:
- To enhance the knowledge of biodiversity and natural resources in the Albertine Rift region;
- To promote awareness raising and conservation action for better sustainable use of fragile natural resources of the Albertine Rift region;
- To enhance the conservation and protection of key biodiversity features of the Albertine Rift region for the regional ecosystem integrity and future generations;
- To promote capacity building, networking, regional collaboration and information exchange for better conservation action in the Albertine Rift region and other mountain ecosystems in Africa.
Organisational Structure
ARCOS is a regional organisation, registered both in Uganda and in the UK (as a Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee). ARCOS has a Board of Directors and Trustees comprised of appointed Board members from the Albertine Rift region and other international experts from different countries.
Within the Board of Directors, a ‘Coordination Bureau’ is responsible for overseeing and reviewing ARCOS progress. This Bureau is comprised of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary to the Board, plus the Executive Secretary and the Regional Coordinator.
