Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: The 20th Meeting of Parties (MoP20) of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), held from June 3 to 5, 2024, in Kinshasa, brought together more than 600 participants, including 12 forest ministers, for one of the most significant events on Congo Basin rainforest conservation in 2024. Organized under the co-facilitation of France and Gabon, the meeting served as a platform to coordinate efforts for the conservation and sustainable management of this critical ecosystem.
Senior government officials, including the DRC’s Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, Hon. Patrick Muyaya, and Delegate Minister Stéphanie Mbombo, underlined their commitment to the partnership’s goals. Robert Agenonga, Policy and Civic Space Advisor at Environmental Defenders, attended alongside representatives of the US Embassy and members of the diplomatic corps, highlighting the international significance of the event.
Six themes for the future of Congo Basin forests
MoP20 focused on six key themes: protected areas and the 30×30 agenda, land-use planning, sustainable value chains, innovative finance, environmental crime, and scientific cooperation. Environmental Defenders took part in a thematic workshop organized by Mongabay, titled “Changing the Narrative: Stories of Hope in African Conservation.”
Changing the narrative on African conservation
The workshop, supported by organizations including the Bezos Earth Fund and Rainforest Foundation UK, highlighted the need to change how conservation in Africa, and especially in the Congo Basin, is told. Guests from organizations such as WWF and IUCN, along with representatives of foreign embassies and the Bezos Earth Fund, joined the dialogue.
“The prevailing narrative often focuses on the negative. While challenges exist, it’s crucial to recognize the positive developments and the potential of this region.” — David Akana, representing Environmental Defenders
The workshop highlighted several areas of progress:
- Growing demand for minerals: The global shift toward electric vehicles gives the DRC, rich in minerals such as cobalt, an opportunity to turn this resource into economic growth and poverty reduction.
- Carbon market potential: The Congo Basin holds immense potential in carbon markets, offering a pathway to economic development while addressing climate change.
- Restoration successes: Significant progress has been made in restoring land, forests, and coral reefs across Africa, including forest landscape restoration in the Congo Basin.
- Renewable energy transition: The Congo Basin is positioned for a transition to renewable energy, with hydropower projects such as Inga presented as part of the region’s sustainable development path.
Despite these positive trends, negative narratives often overshadow progress. The workshop stressed the importance of showing the real Africa, a continent where Indigenous peoples and local communities are at the forefront of conservation and are turning environmental stewardship into economic opportunity, as in the community forestry work on Ituri’s Lendu Plateau.
Collaboration and solutions for the Congo Basin
MoP20 was a reminder of the importance of collaboration, innovation, and a solutions-oriented approach to conservation. By amplifying stories of hope and success, the meeting aimed to inspire continued action and investment in a sustainable future for the Congo Basin. Learn more about our Biodiversity and climate program.