The States General of Forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) closed on Tuesday January 23 in Kinshasa, bringing together nearly 350 participants. This five-day meeting was an opportunity to discuss issues related to the sustainable management of Congolese forests and to formulate recommendations for implementing an appropriate forest policy.
Participants, coming from different regions of the country, highlighted the importance of protecting biodiversity and promoting effective forest governance. They also called for strengthening the capacities of institutions responsible for forest management and ensuring that the forestry sector contributes to public revenues for the well-being of the Congolese population.
In her closing speech, the Minister of State in charge of the Environment, Eve Bazaiba, thanked all participants for the quality of the work accomplished during these general meetings. She also urged participants to be actively involved in the implementation of the recommendations made during this meeting.
The organization of these general statements was made possible thanks to the contribution of numerous technical and financial partners, in particular the CAFI (sustainable forest management program). Since 2009, the DRC has been committed to reducing emissions linked to deforestation and forest degradation.
These discussions on forest management in the DRC are crucial, as the country has one of the largest expanses of forest in the world and is home to unique biodiversity. Establishing an adequate forest policy is essential to preserve these natural resources and ensure a sustainable future for local communities and the planet.
In conclusion, the general state of forests in the DRC helped to highlight the importance of sustainable forest management and to formulate recommendations to guide the country’s forest policy. It is now essential that these recommendations are implemented effectively, with the involvement of all stakeholders, in order to guarantee the preservation of Congolese forests and the well-being of the population.