COMIFAC: $3 billion US to boost the world's lungs

The 26th session of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change was held in Glasgow, Scotland (COP 26) from November 1 to 13, 2021. The 196 nations present promised $3 billion in financing to Central Africa to protect its forests.

Jules Doret Ndongo, Acting President of COMIFAC, clarifies that this financing commitment is intended to be a source of hope for the forests of Central Africa. He encouraged the governments, states, and NGOs of Central Africa to commit further to green development.

"This unprecedented financing commitment represents enormous hope for the forests of Africa. This is why I wish to extend my sincerest thanks to our partners committed alongside us. I also encourage our governments and organizations at the local level to continue their efforts to pursue the path of green development."

Through the present cumulative pledges, COMIFAC acknowledges that this initiative is beneficial for mobilization against climate warming.

Read: Central Africa, between the imperative of growth and the challenge of environmental conservation

Why protect the forests of Central Africa

Strong and decisive action is expected toward the tropical forests of the Congo Basin. "Uniting the world to tackle climate change," which was the theme of COP 26, underscores the urgency of maintaining climate strengthening below the 2°C limit, or even 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial era.

"The Congo Basin is the heart and lungs of the African continent; we cannot win the battle against climate change if we do not keep the basin standing," declared the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba.

"COMIFAC's message is to tell our partners that it is high time we move from discourse to action. The climate finance allocated to the countries of the Congo Basin is appropriate and must be proportional. This is our plea throughout COP 26," declares Jules Ndongo. Central Africa represents significant assets, as it is rich in natural resources (forests, biodiversity, minerals, oil, land).

$1.5 billion USD for the region housing the second lung

The Bezos Earth Fund and the European Union are mobilizing $1.5 billion to protect forests, peatlands, and other critical carbon reserves. The co-organizers of COP 26 presented the commitment of Congo Basin countries, which has been signed by more than 10 countries.

"We demonstrate today our commitment to this important region by announcing a collective contribution of at least $1.5 billion in financing between 2021 and 2025, in order to support ambitious efforts and results in the region to protect and maintain the forests of the Congo Basin."

COMIFAC commends the work of its member states (Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Chad) and its technical and financial partners.

Recall that the forests of the Congo Basin rank second in terms of area behind the Amazon forest, which extends over 6.7 million km2 on the north-western territory of Brazil, continuing into Colombia, Peru, and other South American countries.

Joella Niciteretse