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Sixteenth Meeting of the CBFP Governing Council

Towards a More Sustainable Future for the Congo Basin Forest Partnership: Strategic orientations of the CBFP Governing Council.

On April 9, 2025, the Governing Council of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) held its 16th meeting addressing strategic and essential subjects for the governance of Congo Basin forests.

Preparations against COP30, the development of new regional commitments and the fight against environmental crimes are among the main themes discussed.

Key Points Addressed during the Meeting

1. Governance of the CBFP
The meeting underscored the necessity of reinforcing the governance of the CBFP.  Suggestions have been made to improve the internal organisation and collaboration between different colleges. Presidents of colleges were called upon to update their terms of reference to ensure harmonised and efficient functioning at regional level.

2. New Commitments for the Region:
Particular attention has been given to reflections around the future of the Congo Basin Pledge and its heir. Discussions took were held on the importance of creating an inclusive setting which engages regions of the Congo Basin, donors and other important stakeholders. This process should lead to new commitments during international gatherings.

3. Environmental Crimes and human-wildlife conflict.
Another major issue addressed during the meeting was the preparation of a regional conference on environmental crimes scheduled for July 2025 in Libreville.  This conference shall focus on crime-related challenges in forests and natural resources together with strategies to address human-wildlife conflicts, which are increasingly alarming in the region.

4. Climate and forest funding:
Funding climate and forest endeavours was equally among the topics discussed.  Emphasis was laid on the importance of involving all key actors, especially Finance ministers, to ensure sustainable and tailored finance solutions to specific stakes of Congo Basin forests.

Next step and Actions

The meeting led to several practical actions with emphasis on speed and efficiency:

  • The creation of an ad hoc working group to prepare future commitments on Congo Basin forests.
  • The preparation of a concept note for the conference on environmental crimes and the management of human-wildlife conflicts.
  • Engaging an external partner to develop a communication strategy against great international events.
  • Reinforcing follow-up actions related to the Brazzaville Declaration with the creation of an ad hoc working group to advance ongoing initiatives.

The 16th Meeting of the CBFP Governing Council was the opportunity to lay solid foundations for the future of Congo Basin forests. By reinforcing cooperation between States and other key actors, the CBFP continues to play a crucial role in the preservation of this ecosystem, essential to the region and the planet.   Decisions taken during this meeting shall pave the way for new initiatives aimed at protecting these forests from climate and environmental challenges.