High-level event: Celebration of the launch of the Belém Call to Action for the forests of the Congo Basin
Download Belem Call to Action for the Congo Basin Forests (pdf - 725 Ki)
Political Declaration between the Countries of Central Africa and their Partners for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of the Congo Basin Forest Ecosystems (2025-2030)
The forests of the Congo Basin are of exceptional ecological, economic, social and cultural importance. They are a unique reservoir of biodiversity and a natural carbon sink essential to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. In this regard, measures to support the protection of the Congo Basin, with its rainforests, peatlands and other ecosystems, are essential.
Given this ecological and socio-economic importance, on 6 November, at the COP30 World Leaders Summit in Belém, Central African countries and their partners announced the launch of a Political Declaration entitled “Belem Call for the Congo Basin Forests”.
This announcement is an appeal to new partners to join this historic mobilization. It is a new starting point for both increased engagement and support, and aims to direct more investment and political attention towards protecting Congo Basin forests in the coming years.
Donors are committing to raise more than $2.5 billion over the next five years, in addition to domestic resources that will be mobilized by Central African countries to protect and sustainably manage the Congo Basin forests.
Yesterday, on the Congo Basin Day@COP30 on 18 November, the Forest Pavilion hosted a high-level event co-organised by the Franco-Gabonese Co-Facilitation of the CBFP, the German Co-President of the CBFP Donor College and the United Kingdom. This event aimed to promote and implement the “Belém Call for the Forests of the Congo Basin”, which highlights the mutual commitments of the Central African Countries and their partners in favour of the conservation and sustainable management of the forest ecosystems of the Congo Basin.
At 17:00 in Belém, Mrs Salina GRENET-CATALANO, co-facilitator of the French Republic of the CBFP and Dr Aurélie Flore KOUMBA PAMBO, co-facilitator of the Gabonese Republic of the CBFP opened this high-level event by recalling the history of the CBFP and the beginnings of the Franco-Gabonese co-facilitation.
In a pre-recorded message, Rosalie MATONDO, Minister of Forest Economy of Congo warmly thanked the financial partners for their commitments under the Belém Call. As the future president of COMIFAC, she stressed her willingness to work closely with the CBFP to ensure that the funds mobilized have a concrete impact for the preservation of biodiversity and the well-being of populations.
M. Christoph EICHEN spoke on behalf of Germany and stressed that “today, this event marks a significant milestone for the forests of the Congo Basin and that this success would not have been possible without the convening power of the CBFP”. He confirmed Germany’s commitment to support the Belém Call with €450 million until 2030.
This was followed by 3 discussion panels with interventions by several ministers, representatives of organizations from Central Africa and its partners.
The first panel was introduced by Professor Marie NYANGE NDAMBO, Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and New Climate Economy of DRC. She expressed her gratitude to the CBFP and partners for the support to the Central African countries embodied in the Belém Call. While recalling the responsibility of the DRC towards the Congo Basin forests, she highlighted the efforts of her country to reconcile economic development and forest preservation, particularly through the Green Corridor.
Jean-Luc CRUCKE, Minister of Mobility, Climate and Environmental Transition of Belgium announced that his country supports the Belém Call and will soon announce a contribution. He then recalled how “the forests including those of the Congo Basin are real lungs of the planet”. Mr. Crucke stressed three essential elements: the Belém Call must accelerate public and private financing, and in particular innovative financing; It must allow for the measurement of progress and results; and finally build on the lessons learned, and from CAFI in particular.
Nicolas BARBIER, as representative of the CBFP Scientific College, a member of the IRD and OFVI, noted the importance of science and data for the implementation of the Belém Call, not to mention the importance of social science research and the establishment of high-level universities in forests.
Honoré TABUNA, as representative of the Executive Secretary of the Climate Commission of the Congo Basin, retraced the history of mobilization for the Congo Basin in the context of international negotiations. In particular, he highlighted the important role of the Climate Commission for the Congo Basin and the Blue Fund.
The 2nd panel introduced by the French co-facilitator gave the floor to Dyveke ROGAN, Director of NICFI (Norwegian International Fund for Climate and Forests), Ministry of Climate and Environment of Norway who confirmed how “the Call of Belém meets an undeniable need and how essential it is to ensure the maintenance of rainfall levels and livelihoods for millions of people.”
Tony AGOTHA, EU Climate Ambassador, confirmed that the EU is back at the RDV of this Call, given the EU’s long-standing engagement with countries in the region. “At a time when many are wondering about the strength of commitments, you can count on the European Union.”
Valérie HICKEY, Global Director for Climate Change at the World Bank, stressed that the World Bank is the main contributor to the Belém Call to Action, with 1 billion dollars. She recalled how fighting global poverty also means supporting the Congo Basin and the people who live there. The World Bank’s contribution will be based on three pillars: investment in the institutional environment for forest management; investment in infrastructure to foster growth and employment; Ensuring that people in the Congo Basin benefit from forest preservation.
Dr. Cristián SAMPER, Managing Director and Leader for Nature Solutions of the Bezos Earth Fund, announced that the Bezos Fund will support the Belém Call with a new contribution. He also highlighted the strong commitment of the Bezos Fund for scientific research and the preservation of the forests of the Congo Basin. Finally, he stressed the importance of indigenous peoples and local populations and pledged to continue these efforts.
At the beginning of the 3rd panel introduced by the Gabonese co-facilitator, Ruth Davis, Special Envoy for Nature of the United Kingdom, spoke to recall that “forests are a priority for the climate finance of the United Kingdom”. Davis highlighted three key points for the future of the CBFP: continued efforts to increase the visibility of the Congo Basin; a strong and renewed commitment to science; and a commitment to ensuring access to climate finance for the people of the region.
Catherine Koffman, Africa Regional Director at the Green Climate Fund (GCF), highlighted the marked gap between the funds allocated to the Amazon and Congo and stressed the need to close this gap. She also stressed the importance of attention to local community involvement and the need for increased private sector involvement.
Dr Al-Hamndou DORSOUMA, Acting Director of the Climate Change and Green Department, African Development Bank, presented three priorities, stressing that, beyond financing, it was important to provide support for technical assistance to strengthen the actors working for the Congo Basin.
Cécile NDJEBET, representative of the CBFP Civil Society College, finally recalled how civil society plays a key role and how women and local communities need this Belém Call to fight climate change and poverty.
In conclusion of the event, Dr Aurélie Flore KOUMBA PAMBO, current Gabonese co-facilitator handed over with some emotion to the DRC as the new co-facilitating country of the region, represented by Emmanuel TSADOK MIHAHA, forest engineer.
As for the succession of the French co-facilitation, Salina GRENET-CATALANO said that it will be announced soon. To be followed.
Find the broadcast of the event organized on the Forest Pavilion at COP30 at the end of the video on this link.
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