Fatshimetrie, August 19, 2024 – The development of the national forest policy in the Democratic Republic of Congo is at a turning point with an acceleration of the process aimed at ensuring sustainable management of the country’s precious forest resources. During a planning workshop held in Kinshasa, Benjamin Toirambe, Secretary General for the Environment, stressed the crucial importance of providing the country with a shared vision for forest management, considering that it is unthinkable for a nation holding more than 60% of the Congo Basin forest massif not to have a clear and effective national forest policy.
This approach is part of a perspective of sustainable development and the fight against poverty, while taking into account international climate issues. The challenges of the national forest policy in the DRC are multiple: it is a question of guaranteeing responsible exploitation of forest resources, of promoting the economic development of local populations, while reconciling these objectives with the preservation of the environment and the fight against climate change.
Benjamin Toirambe’s call to the stakeholders of this workshop is clear: it is necessary to work together to develop significant institutional and legal reforms to ensure effective and sustainable forest management. The involvement of all stakeholders involved in the forestry sector is essential to develop a national forest policy that meets the needs and challenges of the country.
With this in mind, the representative of the French Development Agency (AFD) underlines the strategic importance of the national forest policy as a key tool for the Congolese forestry sector. This policy must make it possible to develop forest resources in a sustainable manner in order to contribute to the economic and social development of local communities, while taking into account climate imperatives.
The Sustainable Forest Management Program (PGDF) plays a central role in the implementation of this national forest policy. The objective is to ensure full participation of all stakeholders in the forestry sector in the process of developing the NFP, in order to guarantee collective and shared ownership of this fundamental document for the future of Congolese forests.
In short, the Democratic Republic of Congo is at a crucial turning point in its forestry history, with a strong desire to adopt an ambitious and environmentally friendly national forest policy. This planning and consultation process demonstrates the country’s desire to embark on the path to sustainable and responsible forest management, in line with international standards and the requirements of sustainable development.