03/02/2005 – As leaders
gather for the second Central African Heads
of State Forest Summit in Brazzaville, WWF
warns that two thirds of the Congo Basin’s
forests could be lost within fifty years
if illegal logging, poaching and smuggling
of wildlife, and illicit bushmeat trade
continue at the current level.
Generous pledges made at the first summit,
in March 1999 in Yaounde, Cameroon, resulted
in millions of hectares of new forest protected
areas, and important cross-border cooperation
to safeguard endangered wildlife.
But much still needs to be done by the
seven countries involved — Cameroon, Central
African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo
(Brazzaville), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon,
and Democratic Republic of Congo.
WWF calls for new commitments and bold measures,
such as enforcement of efficient border
controls, sound management practices of
protected areas, improved governance and
participation of civil society and local
communities, and responsible forestry to
save the Congo Basin forests, the second
largest area of tropical forest in the world
after the Amazon.
"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, Director General of WWF
International.
"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."
The richest ecosystems in Africa, the Congo
Basin's forests are home to more than half
of the continent's animal species, including
most of the forest elephants left in Africa
and the entire world’s population of lowland
gorillas. They also provide food, materials,
and shelter to some 20 million people.
In Brazzaville, WWF is expecting the Central
African leaders will sign the first ever
regional conservation treaty in Africa,
and to establish trust funds to ensure sustained
funding for its implementation on the ground.
WWF also calls on the international community
to significantly contribute to the effort
made by the Central African nations through
the Congo Basin Partnership, which is currently
chaired by France and COMIFAC, the regional
institution established to implement these
programmes.
"As we celebrate the achievements,
we must also acknowledge the challenges
facing us," added Dr Martin. "Attempts
to save the forests of the Congo Basin will
only succeed if adequate funding is secured
to back up strong political decisions."
The first summit — initiated with WWF's
help — culminated in the signing of the
Yaoundé Declaration, a 12-point action
plan. At the second summit, leaders will
review progress made on conservation in
the Congo Basin. They will also welcome
two more Central African nations — Angola
and Sao Tome and Principe — to the process.
NOTES:
• The Brazzaville Forest Summit takes place
on 4-5 February 2005 in the capital of the
Republic of Congo.
• The Congo Basin Forest Partnership was
announced by former US Secretary of State
Colin Powell in September 2002, together
with a four-year USAID grant of US$53 million
(€40 million). The partnership will help
conserve 29 protected areas, and promote
responsible forestry and community-based
conservation in 11 priority landscapes spanning
the Congo Basin.
• According to various sources, 1.5 million
hectares of forests are lost each year in
the Congo Basin.
