Use of cookies: We use cookies to optimize our website for you and to be able to improve it continuously. By continuing to use the website you agree to the use of cookies.
For more information on cookies, please see our privacy policy
Please download the report below:
CBFP CSOs virtual meeting minutes
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of the Congo Basin, met within the CBFP Civil Society College, represented by their Chairs and Regional Coordinators, are committed to speaking with one voice to promote the image of the Congo Basin at the national, regional and international levels. They support the Facilitation's roadmap and will spare no effort to contribute to its implementation.
Thus, the CSOs of the Congo Basin unanimously approved the CBFP roadmap, calling on the German Facilitation to accelerate the implementation of the Douala Declaration, which emerged from the CBFP Civil Society Day organized in December 2019 on the side-lines of the high-level meeting of the CBFP Governing Council. They also requested the Facilitation to advocate for more transparency with regard to the positioning of CSOs in the CAFI process and in the projects and programmes of implementing partners in the Congo Basin.
On 26 June 2020, all the members of the Congo Basin Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) college of the CBFP, represented by their Chairs and Regional Coordinators, took an active part in the virtual meeting with the German CBFP Facilitator, Honourable Dr. Christian Ruck.
The Meeting was moderated by Minister Mbitikon Raymond, CBFP Co-Facilitator.
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Christian RUCK, the CBFP Facilitator, recalled the effects that the Covid-19 situation had created in his mission agenda under preparation in the sub-region. He hailed the remarkable attendance and organization of the members of the CBFP College of CSOs. The CBFP Facilitator stressed the importance and the crucial place of civil society organizations within the CBFP, as key actors in the field with proven expertise which is relevant to the Partnership as a whole. Presenting the CBFP Facilitation's roadmap, he laid special emphasis on its ambition to pursue the implementation of the N'Djamena Declaration, the one on the fight against poaching, and to strengthen the dialogue with China. Dr. Ruck presented the process leading to the adoption of a common position/declaration of the Congo Basin with regard to the major future international challenges. In this regard, he noted that his CBFP Facilitation is dominated by the EU-Africa Summit, the EU-China Summit and the CBD and UNFCCC conferences. These events offer great opportunities to the Congo Basin, and the Facilitator sees the CBFP as a means to ensure that the voice of the Congo Basin is heard clearly and in agreement in these global platforms. The Congo Basin is at the cross-road and the opportunities in terms of international challenges are at hand. It must seize them. Coming together to speak with one voice also offers the opportunity to create some discipline to better influence. With regard to the process towards a common Congo Basin position, the German CBFP Facilitator explained the need to continue the process of collecting responses to technical questions sent to CSOs, and that the deadline for the submission of contributions was set for 1 July, 2020. Before closing his remarks, Dr. Christian Ruck asked for the support of civil society organizations in the Congo Basin, emphasizing that the success of his Facilitation would depend on that.
Following the statement by Dr Christian Ruck, the German CBFP Facilitator, the floor was given to the Co-Leaders of the CBFP Civil Society College, namely His Majesty Honourable Essola Etoa Louis-Roger and Mr Nicaise Moulombi on the one hand, and on to members of the College on the other.
A summary of the contributions, intense and fruitful discussions is available below:
His Majesty, Honourable Essola Etoa Louis-Roger, Chairperson of the CEFDHAC Regional Steering Committee
On behalf of the Civil Society College, he congratulated Germany for assuming the CBFP Facilitation for the second time and announced the endorsement of by CSO College of the German CBFP Facilitation Roadmap. Thereafter, His Majesty Honourable Essola refreshed participants on the outcomes of the civil society day organized in Douala in December 2019, including a declaration adopted at the end of the day. This declaration brings together the recommendations of civil society. The CBFP College of CSOs called for support in the implementation of the Douala declaration. On all the actions foreseen in the roadmap, in particular the strengthening of the Dialogue with China; the EU-Africa Summits; EU-China as well as at the Biodiversity and Climate COPs, it called for a strong involvement of civil society in the process, especially in the envisaged preparatory frameworks in order to ensure effective regarding these joint contributions.
Mr. Nicaise Moulombi, Chairperson of the Network of Civil Society Organizations for the Green Economy in Central Africa (ROSCEVAC) and Second Vice-President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council of Gabon
On behalf of the civil society organizations that are not members of CEFDHAC, Mr. Moulombi expressed their adherence to the CBFP Facilitation roadmap. Beyond the China-Africa dialogue, he stressed the importance of the dialogue initiated within CAFI with civil society organizations. He recalled that to date, civil society is not actively taken into account in the CAFI negotiations in the countries and regretted the lack of transparency. Furthermore, he called for extending the dialogue beyond China, but also focusing it on other important partners in the Congo Basin such as Russia, Japan, etc...
Mr. Moulombi advocated for standardising support for the forests of Central Africa and the role that COMIFAC should play in this process.
Finally, he wished to receive more information from the Facilitation on the continuation of the process that should lead to a common position for the Congo Basin, recalling that its ROSCEVAC Network has already submitted its contribution and its answers to the questionnaires.
Mr. Nicaise Moulombi, proposed that each member of the CBFP's Society College at the national level should analyse the CAFI initiative from the perspective of CSOs’ participation in order to ensure that civil society organizations and forest communities are taken into account in the initiative. He committed to do an analysis of CAFI from a CSO perspective in his country Gabon. As soon as the analyses are available in each country, a compilation will be made. The result of these consultations will be shared with the CBFP Facilitator to assist CSOs in the Congo Basin in their advocacy with CAFI. The briefing note will be produced by the leaders of the CBFP CSOs College on CAFI for transmission to the CBFP Facilitator.
Monique BISSECK YIGBEDEK, Regional Coordinator of the Network of Women for Sustainable Development (REFADD)
REFADD is seeking a commitment from the CBFP Facilitation in the implementation of the CSOs’ declaration which emerged from the December 2019 day in Douala. She reiterated the points raised in the declaration. With regard to a key point of the declaration, the CSOs of the Congo Basin asked for a current assessment of partners' support for the Congo Basin. She announced that REFADD has already responded to the CBFP Facilitation's technical questionnaire. She pleaded for a better consideration of security and community challenges in partners' projects and programs.
Marie Nkom Tamoifo, Regional Coordinator of the Youth Network for Central African Forests (REJEFAC)
Ms. Tamoifo welcomed the openness of the CBFP Facilitation to civil society and youth organizations in particular. She recalled that REJEFAC has been active in organizing CBFP meetings through a volunteer service of young leaders that it has been mobilizing to facilitate the organization of CBFP meetings for several years. She stressed that REJEFAC was available support the organization of CBFP meetings as usual. As regards the COP Climate and Biodiversity, its network has experience in mobilizing youth to participate in a close rows, through the annual organization of the COPs AT HOME. She requested from the CBFP Facilitation a support for a greater participation of youths in the process towards a common position and recalled the availability of the Network's strategic document.
Raoul Siemeni, Director Africa Environment Plus and President of the Network of Communicators for Environment and Information in Central Africa (RECEIAC)
Siemeni, advocated for a single approach, a single position for CSOs in Central Africa in the process towards a common Congo Basin position. He proposed that the German Facilitation should help facilitate a harmonization of views and positions within civil society so that it can speak with one voice. He noted the urgency of cohesion among CSOs in the Congo Basin. In addition, with regard to RECEIAC, Mr. Siemeni called for communication to remain a priority of the German CBFP Facilitation. The need to maintain the information dynamic around the Partnership and its members.
Maixent Fortunin Agnimbat Emeka, Coordinator of the African Community Rights Network (ACRN)
Agnimbat Emeka reiterated ACRN's support for the implementation of the roadmap of the German CBFP Facilitation. He called for giving a louder voice to forest communities in this process.
Ms. Cécile Ndjebet - Coordinator of the Network of African Women for Community Forest Management (REFACOF) and Coordinator of the Central African Civil Society REDD+ & CC Platform (PR2CAC)
Ms. Ndjebet recalled that we are in a decade on family farming and that we are entering a decade on landscape restoration. She pointed out that this aspect was not taken into account in the questionnaire as well as the impact of COVID 19. She requested that these new themes be taken into account before reiterating the importance for the Congo Basin society to speak with one voice, to better coordinate its actions and work in cohesion.
Ms. MAIMUNA UMARO, Biodiversity Focal Point and National Coordinator Chad of the Network of Indigenous and Local Populations of Central Africa (REPALEAC)
Ms. MAIMUNA UMARO welcomed the roadmap of the German CBFP Facilitation and stressed that REPALEAC would provide these contributions in writing in the coming days.
Some guidelines and answers provided by the CBFP Facilitation to the contributions of CBFP society organisations
Dr. Iven Schad, BMZ Central Africa Division
On the point calling for more transparency within CAFI for a greater CSO’s participation, Dr. Iven Schad recalled that CSOs’ participation is essential and important for the BMZ. He stressed that the BMZ and the CBFP Facilitator are following CAFI's development within the CAFI Board.
Minister Mbitikon, CBFP Co-Facilitator, underlined with satisfaction the importance and richness of the proposals from CSOs in the Congo Basin, noting that CSOs have innovative ideas that could enrich the sub-regional debate. Seizing this opportunity, he appealed on the basis of the request of several participants, for better cohesion and collaboration, for a sub-regional union around key objectives so that CSOs of the Congo Basin speak with one voice.
Honourable Dr. Christian Ruck, the German CBFP, thanked the participants for their contributions, ideas and constructive thoughts, which he will take into account in the framework of his mandate.
On the process towards the Congo Basin Common Position, Dr. Ruck confirmed the role and key input of civil society and stressed that he would like to promote more discussions with civil society and looks forward to written contributions from all members of the college following the Facilitation questionnaire, including on new themes. Subsequently, the CSOs College Co-Leaders and the CBFP Facilitation will collect all the completed questionnaires for a synthesis and proposal of a draft document for intensive discussions in the colleges. He took good note of the importance of taking into account the different actors, notably indigenous people, forest communities, women, youth...
With regard to the Douala Declaration adopted at the end of the CBFP civil society day, the Facilitator has taken due note and will follow up as soon as possible.
Regarding CAFI, the CBFP Facilitator recalled that Germany chairs both initiatives: CAFI and CBFP. A major focus of his interventions as Facilitator would be to bring the two initiatives closer and synchronise them, strengthen synergies and pool efforts.
Giving an update on his participation in the last CAFI Board meeting, he said that he had advocated for increased CSOs’ participation in CAFI and suggested that CAFI should use the CBFP platform, including colleges to conduct consultations. With regard to civil society participation in CAFI, this is an issue that he said he could discuss with CAFI. He stressed that all contributions are welcome. All ideas and whatever the subject should be discussed without taboos. He welcomed the fact that civil society in the Congo Basin would like to speak with one voice. Furthermore, he welcomed the fact that several participants had promised to make written contributions, which would be much appreciated.
In his closing remarks, the Honourable Dr Christian Ruck expressed his willingness to meet with civil society as soon as the borders are opened again.
Approximately 5% for Central African countries and the bulk for other geographical zones... towards an "Accelerator for the preservation of the Congo Basin forests and peripheries" towards Belém COP 30 Climate post Glasgow?
... WRI’s Global Restoration Initiative and researchers from Land & Carbon Lab have partnered with Meta to develop a groundbreaking AI foundation model that we’ve used to produce the world’s first global map of tree canopy height at a 1-meter resolution, allowing the detection of single trees at a global scale...
The 20th CBFP Meeting of Parties (MoP20) held in Kinshasa, DRC from 3 to 5 June 2024 The Co-Facilitation of the Republic of France and Gabon for the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) organised five high-level round tables, on different topics during the MoP20.
The 20th Meeting of the Parties (MOP20) was a high point, marked by the participation of eight ministers from the Congo Basin and more than 600 participants, illustrating the importance and scope of our partnership. The CBFP proved once again that it is an essential forum for dialogue and cooperation. The diversity and commitment of the stakeholders present were a driving force for emulation and fruitful collaboration. Finally, the exemplary cooperation with the Congolese authorities greatly contributed to the success of this meeting.
Kinshasa, MOP 20 of the CBFP At the end of the proceedings, among other major resolutions, Ms Cécile Ndjebet, Champion of Forests and Champion of the Earth, Co-Leader of the CBFP civil society college, was elected by consensus to head the "Regional Civil Society Coalition for Forests and the Environment of the Congo Basin".
The Scientific and Academic College of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is actively participating in the 26th IUFRO World Congress from 23 to 29 June 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden, with a booth located at A01:01 in Exhibition Hall A at Stockholmsmässan, Mässvägen 1, 125 80 Stockholm. Over the course of the week, a series of workshops will be held to present the platforms of forestry science in the Congo Basin and highlight the latest research, innovations and applied sciences.
10 June 2024: ITTO has urged more attention to the need for capacity building and training in the Congo Basin to ensure that the region’s vital forest sector and timber industry will be able to meet the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and other international trade measures.
It is with great respect and a deep sense of responsibility that we, the Africa Climate Action Initiative (ACAI), support the 20th Meeting of the Parties of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (RDP20) which will be held from 3 to June 5, 2024 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. This approach aims to strengthen our collective commitment to the sustainable management and conservation of the Congo Basin, a critical global resource, and to catalyze transformative actions that align with a shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.
The USAID FABS Project is organising 4 captivating webinars in French and English on the theme of nature-based tourism in the Congo Basin. These events will take place on Tuesday 11 and Thursday 13 June 2024. The aim of these webinars is to communicate the challenges and opportunities of sustainable tourism in Central Africa, while promoting mutual learning for the development of tourism in protected areas. The sessions will focus in particular on studies carried out in the DRC, Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Congo Brazzaville.
Libreville, Gabon 22 April 2024, Rainforest Trust has officially joined the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). Rainforest Trust is now one of 129 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.
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 3-5 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.
The 20th Meeting of the Parties to the CBFP (MOP20) will be held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, from 3 to 5 June 2024. The MOP20 is organised by the Co-Facilitation of the French and Gabonese Republics of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). Please find the provisional programme of the 20th Meeting of the Parties of the CBFP (MOP20).
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 3-5 June 2024. If you wish to cover the 20th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) of the CBFP and associated meetings, please register before 16 May 2024 by filling in the form below and clicking on the "register" button.
The "Youth Forum for the Forests of Central Africa 2024" is scheduled to take place over 2 days from 31 May to 1 June in Kinshasa. It will bring together 150 young people from Central Africa and Europe who are committed to protecting forests and preserving the environment. This forum is organised by the Franco-Gabonese facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), a 128-member initiative that serves as a platform for multi-sectoral dialogue on forest conservation. The Youth Forum will be a preliminary event to the CBFP Meeting of the Parties, which will take place from 3 to 5 June in Kinshasa, and will serve as a general assembly for its members.
Abuja, 19 April 2024, His Excellency Alhaji Balarabe Lawal, Federal Minister of the Environment of Nigeria and His Excellency Jules Doret Ndongo, Minister of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of transborder ecosystems and the sustainable management of forest and wildlife resources along their common border of more than 1,500 km.
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 3-5 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: 19 April 2024. Applicants for selected proposals will be contacted on 30 April 2024.
The Co-Facilitation of the French and Gabonese Republics of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is pleased to inform you that the "Signing Ceremony of the Framework Cooperation Agreement on the Conservation of Transboundary Ecosystems and Sustainable Management of Forest and Wildlife Resources between the Governments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon" will take place on Friday 19 April 2024 at 10:00 am at the Continental Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria. In conjunction with this signing ceremony, a technical round table on the implementation of the framework cooperation agreement on the conservation of transboundary ecosystems and the sustainable management of forest and wildlife resources between Nigeria and Cameroon will be held at 12 noon on Thursday 18 April at the same hotel.
The Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC) is deeply saddened to announce the death of Mrs Sylvie Louisette NGO YEBEL Epse FOUNGA, Communications Expert of Cameroonian nationality, at the COMIFAC Executive Secretariat. She was murdered and her body found on Sunday 7 April 2024 at around 8.30 am in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The CBFP Youth Forum and Meeting of Parties will take place from 31 May to 5 June 2024 in Kinshasa and will bring together more than 700 stakeholders committed to preserving the forests of the Congo Basin. The Meeting of Parties and the Youth Forum will be co-chaired by Ambassador Christophe Guilhou (France) and Ambassador Flore Koumba Pambo (Gabon) and the current President of COMIFAC, His Excellency Mr Prosper Dodiko, with the participation of senior representatives of the DRC.
CIDT wishes to recruit an enthusiastic, people-centred international development professional to join our dynamic, multidisciplinary team. To be considered for this post you will have an understanding and experience of global sustainable development work and be prepared to work both in UK and overseas. You will be qualified to master’s level in one or more of the following core areas of our work: Global Sustainable /International development/ Development Studies, Development Effectiveness, Gender and Social Inclusion, Sustainable Livelihoods, Natural Resource Management, Forest Governance or Education and Development and have expertise in the related fields.
This brief note sets out the principle of an ecological bonus-malus mechanism, designed to change behaviour by modifying the relative prices of products, while aiming for budget neutrality (no tax losses for the State). It applies in particular to the agricultural and forestry sectors, but can also be applied to other areas. We are currently working with various colleagues on the timber and cocoa sectors, and on an automated simulator with a user-friendly interface that can be easily used by government departments and their partners who would like to test the tool and, if necessary, implement it.
The Co-Facilitation of France and Gabon of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is pleased to announce the selection of COMIFAC by the CBD Secretariat as a centre for technical and scientific cooperation for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Framework for Biodiversity in Central Africa. With the highest score in Africa, COMIFAC ranks 4th in the world. The co-facilitation congratulates COMIFAC on this major distinction.
On Tuesday 12 March 2024, from 16:30-18:00 CET, the first dialogue between the College of Donors and the Scientific and Academic College (SAC) of the CBFP was held in virtual form. Over 70 people participated actively in the dialogue. The aim of the meeting was to promote cooperation as well as scientific and academic dialogue on the forests of the Congo Basin as part of the implementation of strategic priority 1 of the 2023-2025 roadmap of the CBFP.
The Franco-Gabonese Co-Facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) organised the 13th meeting of the Governing Council of the CBFP by video conference on Tuesday 9 April 2024. Please, download the report...
Many countries have recently adopted bioenergy as part of a critical strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. Because of increased efficiency and lower production costs, along with legislative support and investment incentives, bioenergy use is swiftly becoming a renewable energy substitute for fossil fuels. The study provides a better understanding of bioenergy issues, potential and sustainability to inform countries in the global South and provide guidance on integrating bioenergy into their national energy plans by proposing a simplified sustainability framework for wood-based bioenergy.
A workshop was held in Brazzaville on Thursday 7 March to review the work carried out by the communications agency Afrique Environnement Plus, attended by a dozen participants, including companies from the sector. The new website for the Congolese forest-wood industry (which will shortly be the subject of a dedicated article) and a communication checklist developed as part of the ASP Congo project were presented.
As part of the ASP Congo project, a series of videos gives a voice to companies committed to responsible forestry practices.This video, produced with the financial support of the European Union, shows what forestry companies are doing to ensure the safety of their employees and to manage their waste properly through their HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) policy. In this way, they are driving forward an economy that respects people and ecosystems.
As part of the ASP-Green Pact project, supported by the European Union and led by ATIBT, we are pleased to invite you to participate in a survey on trade relations with Cameroon, with a response deadline set for April 4th. This initiative aims to refine our understanding of current trade relations between European importers and Cameroonian producers, with a particular focus on lesser-known timber species (LKTS) from Cameroon. Furthermore, this approach is part of the preparations for the International Wood Fair (CIB) to be held in Nantes, offering an exceptional platform for enriching exchanges and partnership opportunities.
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.
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.
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.
The institutions and training centres that are partners in the ADEFAC project are receiving support to better integrate continuing vocational training into their training routines.Following the initial organisational assessments carried out by andragogues consultants, the ADEFAC project's technical team took it upon itself to carry out organisational assessments of the vocational training institutions and/or technical teaching establishments that are partners in the project.
With 8 months to go before the European Union's new anti-deforestation regulation comes into force, where do we stand? What progress has been made, and what concerns and questions does the timber industry have at this stage?
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.