The Multi-Stakeholder Forum for the Development of Environmental Communication and Information in the Congo Basin (FOMADECIE-BC) was held from April 22 to 25, 2025, in Brazzaville. This sub-regional event brought together a wide range of stakeholders around a shared objective: to rethink environmental communication in support of conservation and the fight against climate change.
Dr. Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo, Co-Facilitator of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) on behalf of the Gabonese Republic, delivered a powerful and mobilizing message during the opening session. (pdf - 245 Ki)
In her speech, Dr. Koumba Pambo expressed the CBFP’s gratitude to the Congolese authorities, in particular His Excellency Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, for his ongoing commitment to preserving the Congo Basin. She also thanked the city of Brazzaville for its warm welcome, as well as the technical and financial partners who made the Forum possible.
Referring to the theme of the forum: “Communication as a Strategic Tool for Achieving Conservation and Climate Change Goals,”
the CBFP Co-Facilitator emphasized that communication is much more than a channel for information:
"It is a strategic lever to change behaviors, mobilize communities, influence policy, and build collective awareness around climate challenges."
She highlighted several essential roles of environmental communication:
- Raising public awareness of environmental threats;
- Engaging stakeholders in coordinated actions;
- Showcasing local success stories to inspire further initiatives;
- Integrating traditional knowledge into modern strategies;
- Influencing political decisions in favor of the planet.
Dr. Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo reaffirmed the CBFP’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity of environmental communicators and promoting regional synergies among conservation actors.
"This forum marks a turning point. It paves the way for a new dynamic in communication for the protection of the Congo Basin, the true green lung of the planet."
The CBFP's message is clear:
Without powerful, inclusive, and innovative communication, no conservation effort can fully succeed.
Share: