The 20th Meeting of Parties (MoP 20) of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) takes place in Kinshasa from 3–5 June. Along with 12 forest ministers, over 600 participants are expected to join this MoP, making it one of the largest events on Congo Basin rainforests in 2024. It presents a critical opportunity to coordinate endeavors aimed at conserving and sustainably managing the Congo Basin forests, as well as to place these landscapes front and center for global efforts in preserving nature and combatting climate change.

The MoP20 is convened by the France-Gabon facilitation of the CBFP. The event will advance six main themes—protected areas and agenda 30x30, land-use planning, sustainable value chains, innovative finance, environmental criminality, and scientific cooperation. WRI and CGIAR will co-lead the second thematic workshop on land-use planning. 

The MoP will be preceded by a Youth Forum for the Congo Basin Forests of 2024, from 31 May–1 June. The Youth Forum will focus on mobilizing youths around forest preservation in the lead up to the three COPs this year (Climate, desertification, and biodiversity) and supporting inter-generational dialogues.

WRI Africa is organizing several events that aim to advance cutting-edge FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) data and technologies in tracking forest cover change and strengthening locally led conservation and landscape restoration of the Congo Basin ecosystems. Find us at these events.

This page will be continuously updated.

 

Monday, June 3

Paving the way for green and resilient cities in Central Africa

Urbanization in Central Africa, like in other parts of the world, is on the rise. The growth of urban populations on the continent is leading to the expansion of cities, which is impacting natural ecosystems that are being diminished in favor of urban development. This rapid urbanization is affecting nature, resulting in the degradation of urban and peri-urban areas and various environmental challenges within and around cities. While efforts to promote green development in Central Africa have traditionally focused on forests and rural areas, paying attention to environmental challenges in urban areas could be a valuable step in addressing the needs of people in Central Africa. This session aims to share some initiatives toward creating green and resilient African cities.

Time: June 3, 12.30–13.30 

Venue: Salon Lumumbashi

Organizers: WRI and CIFOR

Speakers: Denis Jean Sonwa (CIFOR), Jean Bakouma (WRI), Landing Mane (OSFAC), Blondel Silenou (ICLEI), and Wilfried Pokam (UY1)

WRI contacts: Jean Bakouma

 

Independent Forest Monitoring: tools and data to drive informed decision making for forests

Most countries producing tropical forest products are not able to effectively enforce laws regulating the forest sector. Consequently, illegal logging and trade, as well as deforestation are on the rise. Several different approaches to independent forest monitoring have been set up by civil society organizations in these producer countries to support regulatory enforcement and provide actionable data to buyers in consumer countries to exercise due diligence.

The proposed event aims to delve into the particularities of independent forest monitoring approaches used in different timber producing countries and improve the understanding of each approach as manifested in the Congo Basin. It will explore how CSOs contribute to reducing illegal logging and improving forest governance through independent forest monitoring. WRI will showcase tools and data that contribute to law enforcement and informed decision making in independent forest monitoring. 

Time: June 3, 13.40–14.40 

Venue: Room Congo 3

Organizers: WRI and CEEAC

Speakers: Phanuella Djanteng (WRI), Angeline Modjo (FODER Cameroon), Serge Bondo (OGF DRC), Igerha Bampa (WRI), and Roger Mambeta (WRI) 

WRI contacts: Achille Djeagou, Phanuella Djanteng, Igerha Bampa

 

Structuring multiple realities of restoration in Central Africa

The Congo Basin is often highlighted for its immense biodiversity and critical role in global climate regulation. While discussions about the region frequently focus on the challenges of deforestation and degradation, it is equally important to highlight the ongoing political commitments to restore 35 million hectares and other initiatives aimed at restoring and revitalizing the region’s precious ecosystems. 

This side event aims to shift the narrative by showcasing diverse perspectives and efforts in ecosystem restoration. It will underscore the complexity of restoration activities in the region, acknowledging the various political, social, and scientific dimensions that shape these efforts. By bringing together experts and practitioners from different backgrounds, the event will provide a comprehensive view of what ecosystem restoration means in the Central African context, illustrating the multifaceted realities and the necessity of tailored approaches.  

Time: June 3, 18.00–19.00 

Venue: Salon Kasai

Organizers: WRI and CIFOR

Speakers: Abdon Awono (CIFOR) and Salima Mahamoudou (WRI) [Additional speakers to be announced]

WRI contacts: Salima Mahamoudou

 

New Economy for the Congo Basin – the role of civil society and IPLCs

Efforts to conserve the Congo Basin rainforests and provide alternative sources of livelihood need to be grounded in sound economic development agendas that break the vicious historical cycle of natural resource degradation and poverty. What is needed is a compelling economic development and political economy narrative, roadmap, and action agenda for a “New Economy for the Congo Basin” that delivers for people, nature, and climate. Drawing on the New Climate Economy’s framework, WRI is willing to help states identify an initial set of indicators to measure progress and refine further in consultation with the local partners, thus putting in place a tailored, context-specific framework for a New Economy for the Congo Basin.  

In this meeting, we would like to introduce the narrative of “New Economy for the Congo Basin” to civil society and representatives of Indigenous People and Local Communities. This will eventually help strengthen the narrative, mobilize key local players and identify existing similar initiatives across the region.

Time: June 3,

Venue: Salle Congo 2

Organizers: WRI

Speakers: To be announced

WRI contacts: Joelle Nkosi

 

Tuesday, June 4

Thematic workshop on land use planning

Building on findings and recommendations from MoP19, MoP20 focuses on three land use priorities:

  1. Make land-use planning a tool for reconciling economic, social and environmental ambitions alignment of economic, social and environmental ambitions.
  2. Identify approaches, procedures and best practices for multi-sector and multi-scale coordination.
  3. Promote land-use planning centered on human rights, including those of women, men, local communities, indigenous peoples and young people. 

This event is an opportunity to present recent or current experiences in land-use planning, to question them and to draw lessons, which will support the scaling-up of successful approaches and good practices, and to act on the persistent challenges.

Time: June 4, 10.00–17.30 and June 5, 9.30–10.30

Venue: Salon Congo 1

Organizers: WRI and CGIAR

Speakers: To be announced

WRI contact: Teodyl Nkuintchua

 

Environmental crime: adapting control strategies for greater justice in the Congo Basin

This event aims to stimulate conversation on the role stakeholders can play in identifying and combatting environmental crime through concerted action. This event will also feature a presentation by the government's Internal Audit Unit in charge of forest control and the US Forest Service.

The event presents a great opportunity to gather insights from the speakers on issues that limit the fight against environmental crimes at judicial and administrative levels in the field, as well as financial constraints. It will conclude with suggested key recommendations to adapt strategies to fight environmental crimes.

Time: June 4, 12.30–13.30

Venue: Salle Salon Lubumbashi

Organizers: FLAG, OGF, and WRI

Speakers: Igerha Bampa (WRI), Horline Njike (FLAG), Serge Bondo (OGF), Kuhana Messia (CCV), and Georges Tchatchambe (USFS)

WRI contacts: Achille Djeagou, Phanuella Djanteng, Igerha Bampa

 

Cover image by Aaron Minnick