The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is a non-profit group that works to protect and manage the tropical forests of the Congo Basin responsibly. The project helps organizations share information and improve their methods. It is led by the United States and supported by more than 40 international governments and investors.
History
The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) began in September 2002 during the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and African government leaders started the partnership. It was based on the framework of the Yaounde Declaration, which aimed to protect forests by aligning forest policies, creating protected areas, stopping poaching, and using forests in ways that do not harm the environment.
The first CBFP meeting happened in Paris, France, in January 2003. Leaders agreed on basic rules for how the partnership would work, named a facilitator, and recognized the Conference of Ministers of Forests of Central Africa as the main group for making decisions. They also accepted the Conference’s "Plan de Convergence" as a guide for future actions.
In October 2003, the CBFP held a public meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon. This meeting discussed the policies and activities of the Conference of Ministers of Forests of Central Africa, which also named a co-facilitator for the CBFP.
On November 11 and 12, 2003, the partnership met again in Yaounde. This meeting brought together the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC), development partners, NGOs, international organizations, and private sector representatives.
On February 12, 2004, U.S. President George W. Bush approved The Congo Basin Forest Partnership Act.
The CBFP met in Douala, Republic of Cameroon, on March 1 and 2, 2011. Later that year, from September 13–16, 2011, a conference in Douala focused on the theme "How can Community Control over Woodlands be Obtained and Maintained?" On September 14, 2011, the partnership met in Yaounde to review progress on a plan, discuss challenges in scientific research, and update the facilitation working plan.
On November 15, 2011, representatives from eight central African countries met to create a new action plan to improve the enforcement of national wildlife laws.
The CBFP was facilitated by the United States from 2003 to 2004, France from 2005 to 2007, and Germany from 2008 to 2009. The partnership does not have a set end date and will continue as long as it receives enough funding.
Purpose
The main goal of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) is to help manage the forests and wildlife of the Congo Basin in a way that protects them for the future. This is done by improving how partners communicate, work together, and support each other. The partnership aims to protect the environment, keep wildlife and forests healthy, and ensure their use and protection are sustainable for the long-term benefit of the region and its people. To achieve this, the CBFP supports economic growth, helps reduce poverty, ensures natural resources are managed well, and encourages sharing information among partners.
The CBFP works with the Central African Forest Commission, a group responsible for managing forests and environmental policies in the region. This group helps coordinate and unify efforts to protect the Congo Basin’s ecosystem. The CBFP’s main areas of focus include managing natural resources for economic and social progress, protecting forests, reducing poverty, preserving biodiversity, creating systems for sustainable development, and changing ways people use resources that harm the environment. Other important areas include helping Africa develop sustainably, improving education, managing water resources, supporting rural communities, promoting tourism, advancing agriculture, and addressing climate change.
Protected landscapes
- Monte Alen – Mont de Cristal Inselbergs Forest Landscape (Equatorial Guinea and Gabon)
- Gamba – Conkouati Forest Landscape (Gabon, Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Lope – Chaillu – Louesse Forest Landscape (Gabon and Congo)
- Dja – Minkebe – Odzala Tri-national Forest Landscape (Cameroon, Congo, and Gabon)
- Sangha Tri-national Forest Landscape (Cameroon, Congo, and Central African Republic)
- Lac Tele – Lac Tumba Swamp Forest Landscape (Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Bateke Plateau Forest Savanna Landscape (Congo and Gabon)
- Maringa/Lopori – Wamba Forest Landscape (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Salonga – Lukenie – Sankuru Forest Landscape (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Maiko – Lulunguru Tanya – Kahuzi Biega Forest Landscape (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Ituri – Epulu – Aru Forest Landscape (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Virunga Forest Landscape (Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda)
Functioning
The CBFP is an international group that includes more than 40 governments, international and private organizations, and members of civil society. It is a partnership based on voluntary agreements between governments, businesses, civil society, and development groups. The partnership focuses on the Central Africa region, especially around the Congo Basin, and works in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. The CBFP follows COMIFAC's strategic plan called "Plan de Convergence." Unlike many other partnerships, it does not create new organizations but instead helps its partners work more effectively. The CBFP is expected to receive about $230 million U.S. dollars in funding over several years.
Funding
The following financial contributions were received:
• United States: US$53 million
• Various European countries: €151.9 million
• ECOFAC: €65 million
• France: €15 million
• Germany: €20 million
• Belgium: €4 million
• Japan: US$1.3 billion
• United States: US$75 million
Other involved organizations
- The World Bank (United States of America)
- The European Commission (Belgium)
- IUCN-The World Conservation Union (Switzerland)
- African Wildlife Foundation
- International Union for Conservation of Nature
- Netherlands Development Organization