Convention on Climate Change and Biodiversity: Validation of Parliamentary Position Papers for the Conferences of the Parties on Biodiversity and Climate

The sub-regional workshop for the validation of the position papers of parliamentarians of the sub-region for Conferences of the Parties on Biodiversity (CoP15) and Climate (CoP26) to be held respectively in Kunming, China and Glasgow, Scotland was held from 12 to 15 October 2021 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Organised in collaboration with the Network of Parliamentarians for the Sustainable Management of Central African Forest Ecosystems (REPAR - AC), this activity benefited from the technical support of the GIZ Regional Project in support of COMIFAC.

Family photo of the meeting

This meeting which lasted 4 days of exchanges, gathered about forty Parliamentarians from the countries of the Central African sub-region namely: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe; as well as a range of sub-regional technical experts. The objective of these meetings was to continue the reflections and validate the two position papers of the Central African Parliamentarians, which are faithful to the challenges of biological conservation and climate preservation.  And on the other hand, to adopt the sub-regional strategy for the implementation of the concept "One Health" of REPAR - AC.

 

Reiterating from the outset the capital importance that the preservation and conservation of biodiversity symbolizes for the maintenance of humanity, Honourable Colette TSHOMBA, representative of His Excellency Christophe MBOSO N'KODIA PWANGA, President of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo, recalled in the presence of the Minister of State for Rural Development, the need to develop two parliamentary position papers considering the sub-regional realities in terms of conservation and climate change. The year 2021 is very strategic for the future of humanity, conditioned by the fight against the loss of biodiversity and the increase in the earth's temperature. "These position papers should really raise the problems facing by countries of the sub-region. Our countries are confronted with development needs on the one hand and concerns about nature protection on the other. However, no development can take place without destroying nature. That is why it is appropriate that the issue of compensation is raised again. We do accept sustainable development, but we need resources for it," said Honourable Colette TSHOMBA.

 

These words were also supported by the Regional Coordinator of REPAR, who mentioned the continuity of this reflection which comes two years after a previous information workshop for Parliamentarians on the issue of biodiversity conservation within the framework of the preservation of Central African forests. He went on to explain the major challenges that CoP15 and CoP26 represent for the sub-region. During these future major international meetings, it will be necessary to take stock of the commitments made to developing countries, in order to conclude negotiations for the implementation of various points of the Agreement: "the current crux of the discussions lies precisely in the need for industrialised countries to raise their ambitions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For the Congo Basin... the challenge is immense". Thus, giving the meaning of the formulation of these position papers, which the Regional Coordinator of REPAR recalled that the first drafts had been pre-validated during the consultation and planning workshop of the strategic framework of REPAR held in Brazzaville in the course of the year 2021.

 

The work was then marked by a series of plenary presentations and a guided field visit to the N'sele Valley Park, about sixty kilometres from Kinshasa. This visit allowed participants to get a first-hand experience of a typical model of Public Private Partnership in conservation.

 

To close the meeting, participants adopted the position notes to be carried by the Parliamentarians at the CBD COP15 and UNFCCC COP26, as well as the adoption of their sub-regional strategy which will be led to the elaboration of a sub-regional advocacy in favour of the concept "One Health".

 

Ingrid BIWOLE

Go back

Partners News

New publication - Measuring Local People Perception toward Wildlife and Conservation at the Periphery of the Dja Biosphere Reserve, East Region, Cameroon

This study addresses the need to explore the attitude and perception of local residents toward wildlife and conservation. Questionnaires, surveys and field observations were used in data collection. A total of 400 people was conveniently selected in 16 villages from October to December 2015. Data analysis relied mainly on factor analysis and structural equation modelling in SPSS 21 and Smart-PLS software.

Read more …

MOP20 - Summary of the side event WWF- Parcs Gabon - Is conflict with forest elephants increasing in the Congo Basin and how can we enhance human / forest elephant coexistence?

The objective of this side event on 4 June 2024 was move away from rapid conflict mitigation and prevention towards to holistic and integrated coexistence programs between human and forest elephants in rainforest of the Congo Basin.

Read more …

International Youth Day 2024 "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development"

The theme for International Youth Day 2024 (12 August) is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.” This theme highlights the key connection between digitalization and accelerating the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the crucial contributions of young people in this transformative process.

Read more …

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024

On 23 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided, in its resolution 49/214, that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year. The date marks the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations. The International Day observance will take place online on Friday, 9 August 2024. This year’s theme is: Protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.

Read more …

CBFP- ECOSOC – DESA SD : The 2024 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), convened under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

CBFP, which is one of the oldest Type 2 partnerships in the United Nations system, registered in the ECOSOC and UN DESA partnerships, and strengthened in SDG 17, is calling on its partners to make the conclusions of the High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development their own... the call is crystallised in advocacy for Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership with diverse stakeholders for sustainable developmen. In Fact, Partnerships are the glue for SDG implementation and is been essential to making the Agenda a reality.

Read more …

MOP20 Summary side event Towards legal, sustainable, and healthy wild meat value chains in Central Africa: progress insights from the SWM Programme

Side event organized by the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme on the 04/06 from 8h30 to 9h30 am. United Nations member states are committed to reducing hunger, improving health, and conserving natural resources through the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to conserve 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030, promoting sustainable wildlife management and equitable benefits. However, in Central Africa, the unsustainable wild meat trade threatens food security and biodiversity, making these goals challenging to achieve.

Read more …

MOP20 Summary side event SWM Programme - Legal Hub: A tool for analyzing the Legal Framework governing value chains in particular on wild meat

The Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme presented its innovative Legal Hub at the recent 20th Meeting of Parties (MoP20) of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership. This event was held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), from 3 to 5 June, 2024. A specific side-event titled "A Tool to Connect Different Sources of Law" showcased the Legal Hub’s critical role in enhancing the legal frameworks governing wildlife management across multiple countries, including the sub-region.

Read more …

MOP20 summary side event: Sharing Innovative Approaches by IITA, RIKOLTO and UCB in Agroforestry and Sustainable land use management for Communities

In this 20th meeting, the consortium comprising the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), RIKOLTO, and the Catholic University of Bukavu (UCB) actively participated in the sessions held from June 3 to 5, 2024, at the Pullman Hotel in Kinshasa. During a panel focused on agroforestry and agribusiness, the consortium presented solutions for sustainable and effective land management around the Itombwe Reserve and the Kahuzi-Biega National Park through two main themes...

Read more …

MOP20 summary side event WWF: A platform for useful information management and sharing for conservation and research

A platform named “Congo Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Database” combining several key sources of information has been developed by WWF to support the management and development of conservation and research projects. This tool has the advantage of being transversal to several possible topics and themes in the field of natural resource management.

Read more …

Results of the GEF Council meeting held in Washington yesterday, 20 June 2024: The GEF Council approves $736.4 million to address broad environmental needs...

Approximately 5% for Central African countries and the bulk for other geographical zones... towards an "Accelerator for the preservation of the Congo Basin forests and peripheries" towards Belém COP 30 Climate post Glasgow?

Read more …

Mapping the World’s Trees in Unprecedented Detail with AI – Land Carbon Lab

... WRI’s Global Restoration Initiative and researchers from Land & Carbon Lab have partnered with Meta to develop a groundbreaking AI foundation model that we’ve used to produce the world’s first global map of tree canopy height at a 1-meter resolution, allowing the detection of single trees at a global scale...

Read more …

Joint statement by the Franco-Gabonese facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership at the end of its 20th meeting of the parties

The 20th Meeting of the Parties (MOP20) was a high point, marked by the participation of eight ministers from the Congo Basin and more than 600 participants, illustrating the importance and scope of our partnership. The CBFP proved once again that it is an essential forum for dialogue and cooperation. The diversity and commitment of the stakeholders present were a driving force for emulation and fruitful collaboration. Finally, the exemplary cooperation with the Congolese authorities greatly contributed to the success of this meeting.

Read more …

MOP20 - Final communique of the Regional Coalition of Civil Society for Forests and the Environment of the Congo Basin

Kinshasa, MOP 20 of the CBFP At the end of the proceedings, among other major resolutions, Ms Cécile Ndjebet, Champion of Forests and Champion of the Earth, Co-Leader of the CBFP civil society college, was elected by consensus to head the "Regional Civil Society Coalition for Forests and the Environment of the Congo Basin".

Read more …

Programme of the CBFP Scientific and Academic College's booth at the IUFRO24

The Scientific and Academic College of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is actively participating in the 26th IUFRO World Congress from 23 to 29 June 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden, with a booth located at A01:01 in Exhibition Hall A at Stockholmsmässan, Mässvägen 1, 125 80 Stockholm. Over the course of the week, a series of workshops will be held to present the platforms of forestry science in the Congo Basin and highlight the latest research, innovations and applied sciences.

Read more …

Capacity building needed urgently in Africa to avoid detrimental impacts of timber trade measures - ITTO

10 June 2024: ITTO has urged more attention to the need for capacity building and training in the Congo Basin to ensure that the region’s vital forest sector and timber industry will be able to meet the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and other international trade measures.

Read more …

PRESS RELEASE - Africa Climate Action Initiative (ACAI) supports members and partners of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP)

It is with great respect and a deep sense of responsibility that we, the Africa Climate Action Initiative (ACAI), support the 20th Meeting of the Parties of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (RDP20) which will be held from 3 to June 5, 2024 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. This approach aims to strengthen our collective commitment to the sustainable management and conservation of the Congo Basin, a critical global resource, and to catalyze transformative actions that align with a shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.

Read more …

USAID FABS Project: 4 captivating webinars in French and English on tourism and nature in the Congo Basin

The USAID FABS Project is organising 4 captivating webinars in French and English on the theme of nature-based tourism in the Congo Basin.  These events will take place on Tuesday 11 and Thursday 13 June 2024. The aim of these webinars is to communicate the challenges and opportunities of sustainable tourism in Central Africa, while promoting mutual learning for the development of tourism in protected areas. The sessions will focus in particular on studies carried out in the DRC, Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Congo Brazzaville.

Read more …

Rainforest Trust – the 129th member of CBFP: Welcome to our New Partner!

Libreville, Gabon 22 April 2024, Rainforest Trust has officially joined the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). Rainforest Trust is now one of 129 member countries and organizations working together in the Congo Basin Forest Partnership to promote sustainable resource management, combat climate change and its impacts, improve living conditions and protect the unique biodiversity of Central Africa’s tropical forest.

Read more …

20th Meeting of Parties (MoP20) of the CBFP from 3 to 5 June 2024 in Kinshasa, DRC: registration now open!

The French-Gabonese Co-Facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is pleased to inform you that the 20th Meeting of Parties (MoP20) of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership will be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 3-5 June 2024. If you wish to attend the 20th Meeting of Parties (MoP) of the CBFP and related events, please register before 05 May, 23:59, 2024 by completing the form below and clicking on the button “register”. It will not be possible to attend the meeting without a properly completed registration procedure.

Read more …

Provisional programme of the MOP20

The 20th Meeting of the Parties to the CBFP (MOP20) will be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, from 3 to 5 June 2024. The MOP20 is organised by the Co-Facilitation of the French and Gabonese Republics of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). Please find the provisional programme of the 20th Meeting of the Parties of the CBFP (MOP20).

 

Read more …

MOP20: The CBFP launches registration for journalists

The French-Gabonese Co-Facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is pleased to inform you that the 20th Meeting of Parties (MoP20) of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership will be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 3-5 June 2024. If you wish to cover the 20th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) of the CBFP and associated meetings, please register before 16 May 2024 by filling in the form below and clicking on the "register" button.

 

Read more …

Information Note: CBFP Youth Forum from 31 May to 1 June 2024, Kinshasa, DRC

The "Youth Forum for the Forests of Central Africa 2024" is scheduled to take place over 2 days from 31 May to 1 June in Kinshasa. It will bring together 150 young people from Central Africa and Europe who are committed to protecting forests and preserving the environment. This forum is organised by the Franco-Gabonese facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), a 128-member initiative that serves as a platform for multi-sectoral dialogue on forest conservation. The Youth Forum will be a preliminary event to the CBFP Meeting of the Parties, which will take place from 3 to 5 June in Kinshasa, and will serve as a general assembly for its members.

Read more …

The CBFP supports the N'Djamena Declaration in action: The Republic of Cameroon and the Federal Republic of Nigeria sign a Memorandum of Understanding

Abuja, 19 April 2024, His Excellency Alhaji Balarabe Lawal, Federal Minister of the Environment of Nigeria and His Excellency Jules Doret Ndongo, Minister of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of transborder ecosystems and the sustainable management of forest and wildlife resources along their common border of more than 1,500 km.

Read more …

Call for Proposals of Side Events at CBFP MOP 20

The Facilitation of the French and Gabonese Republics is pleased to launch a call for proposals to host side events during the 20th Meeting of the Parties (MOP20) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, from 3-5 June 2024. In line with the themes of MOP20 of the CBFP, side events provide opportunities for information exchange, dialogue, cooperation and the creation of synergies between CBFP partners. Deadline for submissions: 19 April 2024. Applicants for selected proposals will be contacted on 30 April 2024.

Read more …

Friday 19 April 2024 at 10:00 am - a major step forward - signing of the cooperation framework agreement between Cameroon and Nigeria

The Co-Facilitation of the French and Gabonese Republics of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is pleased to inform you that the "Signing Ceremony of the Framework Cooperation Agreement on the Conservation of Transboundary Ecosystems and Sustainable Management of Forest and Wildlife Resources between the Governments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon" will take place on Friday 19 April 2024 at 10:00 am at the Continental Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria. In conjunction with this signing ceremony, a technical round table on the implementation of the framework cooperation agreement on the conservation of transboundary ecosystems and the sustainable management of forest and wildlife resources between Nigeria and Cameroon will be held at 12 noon on Thursday 18 April at the same hotel.

Read more …

The Passing away of Mrs Sylvie Louisette NGO YEBEL Epse FOUNGA, Communication Expert at the Executive Secretariat of COMIFAC

The Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC) is deeply saddened to announce the death of Mrs Sylvie Louisette NGO YEBEL Epse FOUNGA, Communications Expert of Cameroonian nationality, at the COMIFAC Executive Secretariat. She was murdered and her body found on Sunday 7 April 2024 at around 8.30 am in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Read more …

Information Note: 20th Meeting of Parties (MOP20) of the CBFP, 31 May - 5 June 2024, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

The CBFP Youth Forum and Meeting of Parties will take place from 31 May to 5 June 2024 in Kinshasa and will bring together more than 700 stakeholders committed to preserving the forests of the Congo Basin. The Meeting of Parties and the Youth Forum will be co-chaired by Ambassador Christophe Guilhou (France) and Ambassador Flore Koumba Pambo (Gabon) and the current President of COMIFAC, His Excellency Mr Prosper Dodiko, with the participation of senior representatives of the DRC.

 

Read more …

CIDT: We’re recruiting for a Senior Consultant in Global Sustainable Development

CIDT wishes to recruit an enthusiastic, people-centred international development professional to join our dynamic, multidisciplinary team. To be considered for this post you will have an understanding and experience of global sustainable development work and be prepared to work both in UK and overseas. You will be qualified to master’s level in one or more of the following core areas of our work: Global Sustainable /International development/ Development Studies, Development Effectiveness, Gender and Social Inclusion, Sustainable Livelihoods, Natural Resource Management, Forest Governance or Education and Development and have expertise in the related fields.

Read more …

Ecological taxation How can a fiscal bonus-malus (feebates) mechanism be implemented?

This brief note sets out the principle of an ecological bonus-malus mechanism, designed to change behaviour by modifying the relative prices of products, while aiming for budget neutrality (no tax losses for the State). It applies in particular to the agricultural and forestry sectors, but can also be applied to other areas. We are currently working with various colleagues on the timber and cocoa sectors, and on an automated simulator with a user-friendly interface that can be easily used by government departments and their partners who would like to test the tool and, if necessary, implement it.

 

Read more …

COMIFAC is the new CBD centre for technical and scientific cooperation in Africa and ranks 4th worldwide

The Co-Facilitation of France and Gabon of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is pleased to announce the selection of COMIFAC by the CBD Secretariat as a centre for technical and scientific cooperation for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Framework for Biodiversity in Central Africa. With the highest score in Africa, COMIFAC ranks 4th in the world. The co-facilitation congratulates COMIFAC on this major distinction.

Read more …

First Dialogue between the College of Donors and the Scientific and Academic College (SAC) of the CBFP: strong mobilisation and strengthening of cooperation between the two colleges

On Tuesday 12 March 2024, from 16:30-18:00 CET, the first dialogue between the College of Donors and the Scientific and Academic College (SAC) of the CBFP was held in virtual form. Over 70 people participated actively in the dialogue. The aim of the meeting was to promote cooperation as well as scientific and academic dialogue on the forests of the Congo Basin as part of the implementation of strategic priority 1 of the 2023-2025 roadmap of the CBFP.

Read more …