A Digital Conference of the Multilateral College of the CBFP: College members mobilized around the Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany of the CBFP

The partners of the CBFP multilateral college discussed the roadmap of the CBFP Facilitation by the Federal Republic of Germany ; the impact of Covid-19 on their interventions in Central Africa ; and the situation of human rights and conservation in Central Africa. The following were the  highlights of the meeting:  (1) The partners of the multi-lateral college agreed to respond to the questionnaire of the CBFP Facilitation within the framework of the preparation of major international events: CBD and UNFCCC process; (2) A consultation/survey within the college which will be launched to produce an inventory and status , of the impact of the Covid-19 on Protected Areas and Parks – towards an Emergency Fund for Covid-19 for Congo Basin and advocacy for integration of the Environment aspect in UN Emergency Fund; (3) towards the promotion and mainstreaming of human rights in the programs and projects of the partners, especially an increased accompaniment of Central African countries in the internalization of human rights in the training.

Approximately twenty-six (26) participants representing the following organizations took part: CMS, GVTC, GEF, ITTO; UN Environment, UNDP, UNFCCC and the CBFP Facilitation Team of the Federal Republic of Germany ... man in training.

The agenda adopted during the meeting covered the following items:

  • Co-Leaders´ welcome remarks
  • Federal Republic of Germany CBFP Facilitator remarks - Synthesis of the CBFP Facilitation Road Map and process for collecting ideas and statements from CBFP´s members as well as the Agenda of CBFP
  • Covid 19 and Multilateral College members´ activities in Congo Basin
  • Nature conservation and human rights in the Congo Basin
  • Next steps and College Meetings

Co-Leaders´ welcome remarks, Dr Andrew Seguya, Executive Secretary of the GVTC

The opening remarks of the CBFP Multilateral College Leaders were delivered by Dr. Andrew Seguya, Executive Secretary of the GVTC. It consisted of a briefing by the Facilitator from the Federal Republic of Germany and the participants on a synthesis of the presentation of the CBFP Multilateral College Leaders at the last CBFP Governing Council held in Douala, Cameroon in December 2019. His intervention was crystallized on the action plan of the CBFP Multilateral College articulated around four axes of intervention, namely : (1) creation of new World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves and management (2) Sustainable Forest and Wildlife management (3) Strengthening ECCAS member States in law enforcement, prosecution and justice.

 

Please download: the presentation of Dr Andrew Seguya, Executive Secretary of the GVTC on the axes of intervention of the multi-lateral college of CBFP

Following his opening statement, the CBFP Facilitator from the Federal Republic of Germany - some highlights of the Facilitator's intervention

The Covid 19 situation has prevented planned travel to the region and to the US. The Road Map has been developed and approved by the COMIFAC President in Office. There is continuing support for the N’Djamena process that was launched by the previous Facilitator and the support to transhumance and transboundary anti-poaching effort, as well as the China dialogue which is more important than ever. The German facilitation is dominated by the EU Africa Summit, the EU China Summit and the CBD and UNFCCC conferences. These present important opportunities for the Congo Basin, and the Facilitator envisages the CBFP as a means of providing a clear and common voice from the Congo Basin at these global platforms. Coming together with one voice also presents the opportunity to create some discipline in coming together to create a shared declaration. The primary focus over next months is to prepare a joint declaration from the partnership. In Douala many members expressed an interest to strengthen communication within, between and from the Colleges. It is therefore the purpose of the technical questionnaire to gather structured input from the Colleges for input into the Declaration and backup information that will substantiate the points made in the Declaration. The contributions from the CBFP Colleges should be submitted by 1 July 2020, to enable the Facilitator to prepare by summer holidays.

 

Covid 19 and Multilateral College members´ activities in Congo Basin

Continuing the agenda of the meeting, Dr Andrew Seguya made a presentation on the impact of Covid-19 on Central African Protected Areas/Parks with an emphasis on the :  « REGIONAL EVD AND COVID-19 CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR MOUNTAIN GORILLAS” coordinated by the GVTC but with a coalition of partners including the IGCP, Gorilla Doctors, and other partners - Financial support from the IGCP coalition, partners in conservation at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and UNESCO.

 

Dr. Andrew Seguya noted the need for intervention through the creation of a Covid-19 Emergency Fund for Protected Areas/Parks.  This Fund would cover among others This Fund would cover among others:

  1. Funds to sustain essential park operations,
  2. community engagement,
  3. livelihood support due to loss of tourism revenue;
  4. Personal Protective Equipment (conservation personnel, financial/supply) for park workers and conservation researchers;
  5. Hygiene facilities for conservation personnel/park edge communities and
  6. Training materials & dissemination.

This presentation is available for download...

 

A phase of discussion on this point of the agenda was opened with interventions from partners in particular:

The ITTO representative informed participants on their response to Covid-19 which is also available under the following link:

Pandemic pandemonium in the tropical timber sector.

Survey shines light on COVID-19 impacts on tropical timber sector..

 

Towards greater transparency in the tropical timber markets..

Furthermore, ITTO suggested that they would support the CBFP facilitation for dialogue on China. She recalled the organization of the major conference in Shanghai by ITTO last October 2019.

 

FAO proposed to all participant to download the following contribution of FAO:

 

UN Environment engagement:

Working With the Environment to  Protect People - UNEP’s COVID-19 Response.

UNEP steps up work on zoonosis, protecting environment to reduce pandemic risks.

The UN Environment also raised the idea on how to incorporate environmental dimension in the UN Multi-Partners international trust Fund (MPTF).

On the way forward:  Need for a survey to better understand the need which will support the process toward an Emergency Fund. What is the need!

The GVTC will reach out to the college to conduct the survey on COVID 19 which will support the design of the Emergency Fund.

 

Nature conservation and Human rights in the Congo Basin

Dr Annie-Claude Nsom's presentation provided an overview of the link between nature conservation and respect for human rights in the Congo Basin. Various organisations involved in the defence of human rights, notably Survival Interational and Rainforest foundation, denounced at the international level situations of violations in DRC, Cameroon, Congo and CAR, of the rights of local and indigenous communities in the protected areas of the Congo Basin. These violations are reportedly manifested mainly through arbitrary arrests, targeted executions, torture and rape, low involvement and lack of respect for cultural rights. This situation has prompted the UN to take a position in favour of respecting the rights of these communities in environmental protection initiatives. UNESCO's initiatives to contribute to the achievement of this objective have been highlighted.  These include the inclusive approach deployed in the creation and monitoring of Biosphere Reserves and heritage sites, the granting of an active and equitable role to communities in the area of resource management, the promotion of intra- and intergenerational transmission of knowledge and support for the integration of local and indigenous knowledge in the conservation and management of biodiversity promoted by the Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) initiative. Finally, the participants were given the opportunity to ask for their opinions on these denunciations, the national and regional mechanisms likely to address this issue.

 

It emerged from the various interventions that punctuated the exchanges, the need to carry out a real and in-depth analysis of the situation on the ground, to examine the interventions of partners in relation to human rights, the strengthening of the capacities of the rangers by paying particular attention to the inclusion of human rights aspects in training curricula.

 

CAFI - The representative of the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) made a remarkable intervention. In her address, the representative of CAFI brought to the attention of the participants some key information on the state of the initiative and presented the major actions of their interventions.  For more information...

DRC Independent verification of the milestones of the LoI : conclusions and next steps.

Go back

Partners News

20th Meeting of Parties (MoP20) of the CBFP from 3 to 6 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 3-6 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.

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 3-6 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: 05 April 2024. Applicants for selected proposals will be contacted on 12 April 2024.

CBFP partners celebrate the International Day of Forests 2024

The International Day of Forests was established on the 21st day of March, by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2013. Each year, various events celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests, and trees outside forests, for the benefit of current and future generations. The theme for International Day of Forests 2024 is Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World. To mark International Forest Day 2024, several CBFP partners have organised special activities.

Exclusive Interview with Rwanda’s Minister of Environment on International Women’s Day

In honor of International Women’s Day, TOP AFRICA NEWS had the privilege of Interviewing Rwanda’s Minister of Environment on the important role of women in environmental conservation and sustainable development. Join us as we delve into the Minister’s insights and initiatives in empowering women to be leaders in protecting our planet for future generations.

Complex Supply Chains Are Still a Major Barrier to Ending Deforestation -WRI

Almost 90% of the world’s forest loss is driven by the expansion of agriculture, thanks to growing consumer demand for commodities like coffee, cocoa, beef, soy, palm oil and timber. Because of this, governments, businesses and NGOs are increasingly targeting action to reduce deforestation in this sector. Several markets are developing policies that prohibit the sale or importation of products grown on deforested land, while hundreds of consumer goods companies have made zero-deforestation pledges.

RELEASE: World Resources Institute Welcomes Sharan Burrow, Johannes van de Ven and Cecilia Martínez to Global Board

WASHINGTON (March 18, 2024)—World Resources Institute is pleased to announce that Sharan Burrow, Visiting Professor, Grantham Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics; Johannes van de Ven, Managing Director, Good Energies and Board Chair, WRI Brasil; and Cecilia Martínez, Former Director, UN-Habitat and Board Chair WRI Mexico have joined its Global Board of Directors.  

STATEMENT: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Finalizes Climate Disclosure Rule -WRI

WASHINGTON (March 6, 2024) — Today the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finalized a rule that requires larger public U.S. companies to disclose risks that climate disasters pose to their businesses, as well as greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations or energy use if this information is financially material to investors. The draft rule released in 2022 had required some companies to also disclose emissions across their entire value chain, referred to as Scope 3 emissions, but that was not required in the final version.

CBFP’s side event on cross-border transhumance mobilises and makes waves at the 14th Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Geneva

Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Geneva. The Franco-Gabonese Facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) organised a side event on cross-border transhumance at the14th Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).   At the era of climate change, access to water, agriculture, the fight against desertification, biodiversity, forest preservation and cross-border migration, transhumance is the cross-sectoral prime theme.  This explains the central theme of the event:  “Meeting Between the Sahel and northern equatorial Africa - The challenges of the nexus: cross-border transhumance, survival of protected areas, natural resources, and human lives, development, security and peace.”

Congo Basin Science Initiative the 127 members of CBFP: Welcome to our New Partner!

Kinshasa, DRC, 13 February 2024: The Congo Basin Science Initiative has officially joined the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). The Basin Science Initiative is now one of 127 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.

Discussions on the stimulation of the forest sector between the Minister of Forestry Economy and the Associate Manager of the Deliotte Cabinet

The strategic meeting between the Minister of Forest Economy, Rosalie MATONDO and Deliotte consultancy cabinet made way to research collaboration possibilities and share prospects on reforms needed to make forestry attractive.

 

CBFP and COMIFAC discuss the results of the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

From 22 to 24 January 2024, a sub-regional workshop was held in Douala, Republic of Cameroon, to analyse the results of the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Her Excellency Dr Aurelie Flore Koumba Pambo, the Gabonese Co-Facilitator of the CBFP, participated in the workshop. Download the  final communiqué of the meeting..

UNEA6 side event – Joint Action Against Nature Crime: A Pathway to Achieving Biodiversity, Climate and Sustainable Development Goals

Ministers and representatives from governments, international organisations, and civil society will explore how multi-sector collaboration in the fight against nature crime can inform wider efforts to tackle the triple planetary crisis during an official side event at the upcoming UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi.

Southern Africa Dialogue aims to improve detection and disruption of financial flows linked to nature crime – Nature Crime Alliance

Financial crime analysts, industry experts and law enforcement officers from across Southern Africa assembled in Cape Town last week for the first in a new series of regional meetings aimed at tackling illicit financial flows associated with nature crime.

Second ministerial conference on ‘Transhumance-Protected Areas-Security’ in Central Africa: progress and perspectives

This article by Paul Scholte and Matthew Luizza in Conservation News looks at the progress and prospects for work on transhumance in Central Africa since the second international conference of ministers on transboundary transhumance of July 2023 in Yaoundé.

CAR: The United States reassert their support in forest and fauna protection

Gervais MBATA, the new Minister of Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing hosted at his Cabinet this February 7, the United States’ ambassador to Central Africa, Mrs Patricia MAHONEY. During this fruitful meeting between government members and American diplomats, several topics were discussed about cooperation reinforcement, the USA’s multiform support and especially the implementation of projects on the protection of CAR wildlife areas.

Sustainable management of protected areas: A key meeting between Rosalie MATONDO and Peter FEARNHEAD

On 7 February 2024, Rosalie MATONDO, Minister for Forest Economy, welcomed Peter FEARNHEAD, Chief Executive Officer of the South African NGO African Parks Network (APN). The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the management and development of the Odzala-KMassif okoua Forest (MFOK), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The two parties also discussed the challenges of conserving protected areas.

Cocoa without deforestation: is it possible in Cameroon?

This is the question posed by Development Advocates (GDA) in its new publication: Deforestation-free cocoa in Cameroon: questions, concerns and priorities from smallholder farmers. The document sets out the challenges Cameroon faces in doubling its domestic cocoa production, retaining access to its biggest market (the EU) and reducing the pressure on its forests. Please download the GDA publication...

New body aims to limit pollution’s deadly toll - unep

Pollution is widespread – and often fatal.Dirty air alone is responsible for 6.7 million deaths globally every year, while conservative estimates suggest that in 2019, 5.5 million people died from heart disease linked to lead exposure. To stem the pollution crisis, countries agreed in 2022 to establish a new body that would provide policymakers with robust, independent information on chemicals, waste and pollution.

Press release - Climate Chance Europe 2024 Wallonia summit adaptation to climate change, nature-based solutions and resilience

The Climate Chance Europe 2024 Wallonia Summit "Adaption to climate change, Nature-based Solutions and Resilience" was held at the Palais des Congrès in Liège on 8 and 9 February 2024. Over two days, the Summit brought together nearly 1,000 participants of more than 20 nationalities, from numerous European networks and organisations of non-state actors such as businesses, researchers, civil society and local governments.

Towards UNEA-6: Multilateral solutions to triple planetary crisis - UNEP Speech delivered by Inger Andersen

As the world’s top decision-making body on the environment, UNEA-6 will bring together ministers, intergovernmental organizations, the broader UN system, civil society groups, the scientific community and private sector to shape global environmental policy. This year, we’re expecting more than 70 Ministers and 3,000 delegates to join us in Nairobi. We currently have 20 draft resolutions and two draft decisions submitted for countries to discuss. Ms. Ochalik will share more on this. I will talk about the wider context of UNEA-6, and what it means.

GABON: Mrs Nzoma née Arcadie Svetlana Minguengui Ndomba, new Minister for the Environment, Climate and Human-Wildlife Conflict

Following a ministerial reshuffle yesterday, Wednesday 17 January 2024, the Ministry of Water and Forests, formerly responsible for the Environment, Climate and Human-Wildlife Conflict (CHF), has been split into two separate ministries: one responsible for the Environment, Climate and Human-Wildlife Conflict (CHF), managed by Arcadie Svetlana Minguengui Ndomba épse. Nzoma, and the other in charge of Water and Forests, which remains under its full management.

RELEASE: Landscape Restoration Champions Across Africa Receive USD 17.8 Million in Financing from TerraFund for AFR100 - WRI

This second cohort of investments, named TerraFund for AFR100 Landscapes, is restoring land in three of the continent’s vital landscapes: the Lake Kivu and Rusizi River Basin in Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; the Ghana Cocoa Belt; and the Greater Rift Valley of Kenya. These landscapes were chosen because they provide food and water for millions of people and protect crucial biodiversity; yet they are suffering from decades of degradation.

Tenure Facility joins Congo Basin Forest Partnership

To bolster its work in the region, Tenure Facility has joined the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), a strategic alliance of countries and organisations dedicated to fostering sustainable practices, improving living conditions, and preserving the rich biodiversity of Central Africa’s tropical forest.Tenure Facility will bring its longstanding collaboration with several stakeholders – including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, organisations, and governments – to CBFP as it works toward finding inclusive and equitable solutions to forest-related challenges.

Her Excellency Dr Aurelie Flore Koumba Pambo, Co-Facilitator of the CBFP, takes part in the analysis of the results of COP28

Douala, Cameroon, 22-24 January 2024 - The Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC), with financial support from the German cooperation via the GIZ support project for COMIFAC and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), organised a sub-regional workshop to analyse the results of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).

Turning the corner on environmental crises in 2024 - UNEP

When it comes to climate, we do have something new to build on. Yes, the Dubai Consensus that emerged from COP28 was not everything everyone had hoped for. But it did signal a global decision to move away from fossil fuels, which is critical, as we all know. And, of course, the Loss & Damage Fund was put into operation. This was an important show of solidarity with vulnerable nations, although there is a long way to go to capitalize the fund. The positives did not stop there. We saw new commitments on sustainable cooling and reducing methane emissions. A tripling of renewable energy targets. Nature breakthroughs. Crucially, there was agreement on the framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation.

Strengthening land rights for women and young people supports fair conflict resolution -Tenure Facility

Cicin Juarsim, 52, smiled with joy when the land she has been cultivating officially became hers. “Now I am holding a private ownership certificate in my land. This is not only important for me. This land is important for my children,” said Cicin Juarsim who lives in Muktisari village, Ciamis District, in Indonesia’s western province of Java.

PRESS RELEASE: CBFP Side Event at the 14th Summit of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday 24 January 2024, 17:00 - 18:30, Virtual.

Under the aegis of the Co-Facilitator of France, Ambassador Christophe Guilhou, the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is taking part in the GFMD and is organising a side event on Wednesday 24 January 2024, from 5.00 pm to 6.30 pm (virtual), on the theme: Meeting between the Sahel and northern equatorial Africa - The challenges of the nexus: cross-border transhumance, survival of protected areas, natural resources, and human lives, development, security and peace.

What is phosphorus and why are concerns mounting about its environmental impact? - UNEP

For months last year, Florida’s beachgoers were plagued by rotting tangles of decaying seaweed that had washed ashore. Known technically as sargassum, the thick clumps were part of a record-setting 8,000-kilometre-long seaweed belt in the Atlantic Ocean. Sargassum blooms cause a range of environmental problems, including coastal “dead zones” bereft of aquatic life. Past sargassum outbreaks have been linked to the excessive release of phosphorus and other chemical substances known as nutrients.

 

SAVE THE DATE - GEF Technical BBL Series: Taking the lessons from Integrated Approach Pilots to the GEF8 Amazon, Congo, and Critical Forest Biome Integrated Program. Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 12:30 - 14:00 pm EST (hybrid event, in English)

Location: Gustavo Fonseca Meeting room (N 8 – 180) and virtually on Zoom. 3. Speakers: Carlos Manuel Rodríguez. CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility; Ana Maria Gonzalez Velosa, Senior Environmental Specialist, Coordinator of the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes Program, World Bank Group, Latin America Region; Jean-Marc Sinnassamy, Senior Environmental Specialist, Lead of the CFB IP, GEF Secretariat; Charity Nalyanya, Director, Project Management and Technical Oversight, Conservation International (CI); George Akwah Neba, Team Leader of UNEP’s Congo Basin Team; Yawo Jonky Tenou...

Watch the guardians of the forest - Tenure Facility

Seated by a crackling fire burning during an inky night, community elder Cosmas Murunga shares some advice to his audience of young listeners. “As you grow up, women might get married outside of the community. But they shouldn’t forget where they came from,” he says. “And you young men, as you grow, know that you will inherit the ways of your fathers, grandfathers and those of your ancestors.”

Second International Conference of Ministers on Cross-Border Transhumance - Compendium of Country Investment Plans

In the case of Cameroon, the government established an inter sectoral committee chaired by the prime minister office to facilitate development of the country’s PIP. The methodology adopted for writing of this document, followed a participatory approach. After validation of the draft logical framework by the Expert Committee in Douala, the national Steering Committee which brings together various sectoral ministries met in May 2023 to work on priority sectoral activities of the seven strategic axes of the logical framework. A consultant was hired to technically assist the national steering committee in development process of the PIP. The main tasks of the consultant included further consultation of sectoral ministries to discuss priorities, consultation of strategic partners, desktop review of technical reports and other related documents on transhumance, budgeting and development of 5years investment plan.

Welcome to our New Partner: The Tenure Facility!!

Paris, 10 January 2024: The Tenure Facility has officially joined the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). The Tenure Facility is now one of 126 member countries and organizations who work together to promote sustainable resource management, to combat climate change and its impacts, improve living conditions and protect the unique biodiversity of Central Africa’s tropical forest.

Global Report on Sanitation and Wastewater Management in Cities and Human Settlements -unhabitat

The report, prepared by a consortium led by Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP), and supported by Agence Française de Développement and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to provide professionals and policymakers working at the intersections of water, the environment, health, energy, agriculture, spatial planning, and land use with a global cooperative and cross-sectoral reference on the current situation and developments in sanitation and wastewater and fecal sludge management in cities and human settlements.