05/02/2005 – WWF has
recognized the Yaoundé Process —
a pioneering regional initiative to conserve
the forests of Central Africa — as a Gift
to the Earth.
The ‘Gift’ — WWF’s highest accolade for
a globally significant contribution to the
protection of the planet — was presented
by WWF International Director General Claude
Martin to the leaders of seven Central African
nations attending the second Central African
Heads of State Forest Summit in Brazzaville,
the Republic of Congo, where they signed
Africa’s first ever region-wide conservation
treaty and an agreement to protect over
seven per cent of the Congo Basin forests.
One quarter of the world’s remaining tropical
rainforests is in Central Africa, which
includes the Congo River Basin. This area
contains the second largest tropical rainforest
in the world after the Amazon, and is home
to half of Africa’s wild animal species
and more than 10,000 plants species.
Since the first African region forest summit
took place in Yaoundé, Cameroon,
in March 1999, 4.5 million hectares of new
forest protected areas and important cross-border
cooperation to safeguard endangered wildlife
has been established.
"It is now almost six years since
Central African leaders created history
by getting together and taking action to
save the Congo Basin forests," said
Dr Claude Martin. "Now, we are urging
them to reconfirm their willingness, and
to reinforce their efforts to protect this
globally important natural heritage. This
will involve improving governance and civil
society participation."
“WWF has worked in the region for more
than two decades and we are committed to
the Congo Basin for the long term.”
Notes:
• A Gift to the Earth is a public celebration
by WWF of a conservation action by a government,
a company, an organization, or an individual
which is both a demonstration of environmental
leadership and a globally significant contribution
to the protection of the living world. The
Gift is symbolic, and is WWF's highest accolade
for applauding good conservation work.
• To date, more than 90 Gifts to the Earth
have been recognized since 1996, including
more than 60 major commitments by governments
throughout the world.
• Each of these Gifts represents an important
success within one or more of the global
conservation priorities recognized by WWF
including: protection of forest, freshwater,
and marine ecosystems; endangered species;
prevention of climate change, and elimination
of toxic chemicals.
