COP 30 in Belém: PFBC Co-Facilitators in Consultation with Central African Ministers in Addis Ababa

On the sidelines of the Second African Climate Summit (ACS2), held from 8 to 10 September 2025 in Addis Ababa, the two Co-Facilitators of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (PFBC), Ambassadors Ms. Salina Grenet-Catalano and Dr. Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo, conducted a series of strategic consultations with Central African ministers in charge of forests and the environment.

These meetings took place in the context of preparations for the UNFCCC COP 30, scheduled for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, as well as ongoing reflections on the successor to the Glasgow Congo Basin Pledge. They provided an opportunity to strengthen constructive collaboration between the Co-Facilitators and the countries of the subregion around the PFBC’s key orientations, while also gathering ministers’ priorities and recommendations in order to advance a common and ambitious position on the international stage at COP 30 in Belém. This joint position is currently under negotiation within the PFBC and COMIFAC.

Consolidating a Shared Vision for COP 30
The exchanges focused on upcoming challenges and the need to reach consensus on a political declaration of commitment between Central African countries and their partners, in support of the conservation and sustainable management of Congo Basin forest ecosystems. This initiative aims to promote an inclusive, transparent, and ambitious approach that combines forest ecosystem preservation, climate finance, fair and equitable biodiversity governance, and sustainable economic development.

The discussions also deepened preparations for negotiations related to this Declaration, with a particular focus on areas requiring compromise among stakeholders. These orientations informed the negotiation meeting held on 9 September 2025 at the Residence of France in Addis Ababa.

High-Level Political Mobilization
Among the personalities met were:
• H.E. Ms. Calinie Mbarushimana, Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock, Burundi;
• H.E. Mr. Jules Doret Ndongo, Minister of Forests and Wildlife, Cameroon;
• H.E. Ms. Arlette Soudan-Nonault, Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the Congo Basin, Republic of Congo;
• H.E. Prof. Marie Nyange Ndambo, Minister of Environment, Democratic Republic of Congo;
• H.E. Ms. Arlette Bahati Tito, Minister Delegate for the New Climate Economy, DRC;
• H.E. Mr. Diosdado Obiang Mbomio Nfono, Minister of Environment, Equatorial Guinea;
• H.E. Dr. Iury Valter De Sousa Santos, Secretary of State for Environment, Angola;
• H.E. Mr. Gervais Mbata, Minister of Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing, Central African Republic, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Dieudonné Bruno Waneyombo-Brachka.

These meetings underscore the importance that Central African States attach to coordinated preparations for COP 30, in line with the vision adopted by Heads of State at the 1999 Yaoundé Summit.

The Catalytic Role of the PFBC
The Franco-Gabonese Co-Facilitators of the PFBC reaffirmed their full commitment to supporting subregional countries in implementing a common strategy. They expressed their deep appreciation to the ministers they met and emphasized the importance of standing united to ensure a strong and enhanced African participation at COP 30 in Belém.

They recalled that the voice of Central African countries is essential to:
• Ensure recognition of the unique contribution of the Congo Basin forests to global climate regulation and genetic diversity;
• Secure increased, predictable, and equitable international financing for forest ecosystem conservation and sustainable management;
• Promote a development model that reconciles the fight against deforestation, the valorization of ecosystem services, and the economic prosperity of local populations.