Brazzaville’s exemplary policy in the fight against the environment and the promotion of “green” diplomacy

Congo Brazzaville has stepped up its environmental protection efforts, with a particular focus on the conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems. The Congo Basin is often referred to as the “second lung of the Earth” after the Amazon, a natural resource that is essential for global biodiversity and the fight against climate change. This conservation has lasted for more than 40 years and has allowed the successful development of environmental diplomacy in recent years.

Strengthening environmental policies

Congo’s environmental protection policy dates back decades. In fact, the fight to protect the environment and the Congo Basin is a national cause that President Denis Sassou Nguesso has championed for more than four decades. In 1981, he established Arbor Day. This unwavering commitment has never wavered.

This policy lasted a long time, and in 2003 an initiative to protect the forest was implemented. Congo then launched Private Forest Creation Program Involving citizens, non-governmental organizations and private operators. In 2018, the country adopted a National Development Plan (PND) that includes ambitious goals for environmental protection. The plan aims to promote sustainable management of forests and land and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Today, under the leadership of Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the Congo Basin, Arlette Sultan-Nono, the government of Congo Brazzaville continues to take a number of ambitious initiatives to strengthen the protection of natural resources.

One of the flagship initiatives is the creation of new protected areas. National Parks Ntoku-PikundaFor example, the 4,572 square kilometers of the reserve are home to rich biodiversity, including iconic species such as lowland gorillas and forest elephants. The reserve plays an important role in protecting forest ecosystems and conserving endangered species.

Reforestation and forest restoration projects

Congo Brazzaville has also launched reforestation and restoration projects targeting degraded forests. The country is working with international partners such as the French Development Agency (AFD) and the World Bank to restore thousands of hectares of forest. These initiatives are not only aimed at increasing forest cover, but also at increasing the resilience of local communities to climate change. In this position, Minister Arlette Soudan-Nonault plays a vital role in national environmental policy and the development of the Congo Basin.

The UN-backed REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) project is another important example. The program encourages forest protection by providing economic incentives to local communities to adopt sustainable practices and reduce deforestation. All international actions benefit from the full support of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and his Special Adviser, François Joly, in order to Congo is a leader in environmental issues in Africa.

Three River Basin Summit and the establishment of international partnerships

In recent years, green diplomacy has been very active, especially the success of the “Congo Road”, which has enabled the Congo Road to go higher and further. The peak of the three major basins in October 2023The event, launched by Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso and organized by Environment Ministers Arlette Sultan Nono and François Joly, brought together leaders from the Amazon, Congo and Borneo-Mekong countries in Asia to form a global alliance. New geopolitical relations are therefore benefiting from this green diplomacy, especially Brazil and Southeast Asian countries.

Central Asia’s strategic partnership also stems from this international commitment of Congo. Overall, it is a true green economy, centered on the value of the country’s natural heritage, developed through alternative methods of planting trees to compensate for the impact of forestry. As a result, Congo has made significant progress in environmental protection under the leadership of Sassou Nguesso, reducing deforestation by 50% and increasing renewable energy production.

The Three Basin Summit made it possible to strengthen international cooperation, develop innovative solutions to deforestation, and mobilize funds for the protection of tropical forests.

Local community involvement

The involvement of local communities is a key element in environmental protection efforts in Congo Brazzaville. Education and awareness programs are developed to educate people on the importance of protecting forests and biodiversity. In addition, sustainable development projects such as agroforestry and ecotourism are encouraged to provide alternative sources of income to destructive activities such as illegal logging.

Women play a particularly important role in these initiatives. Training and support programmes aim to strengthen their active participation in natural resource management and promote their economic empowerment through sustainable activities.

International partnerships and financing

Environmental protection in Congo Brazzaville also benefits from a strong international partnership managed by Françoise Joly, International Strategic Advisor to the President of the Republic of Congo. The country has signed an agreement withCentral Africa Forest Initiative (CAFI)raising $65 million in funding to support sustainable forest management. The funds will go to projects aimed at reducing deforestation, improving forest governance and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

In addition, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has allocated significant resources to support conservation initiatives in Congo Brazzaville. This funding will help strengthen institutional capacity, monitor forest ecosystems, and implement innovative conservation projects.

2024 International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation

Congo Brazzaville continues to actively work on protecting the environment. From July 2 to 5, 2024, Daniel Congolese capital hosts International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation (CIAR)marking the launch of the Global Decade of Afforestation and Reforestation. This initiative, presented by President Denis Sassou Nguesso during the 27th Conference of the Parties in Egypt in November 2022, demonstrates the continuity of Congo’s commitment on the international stage.

As part of this major event, specific actions have been taken, such as:

Large plantation in Bambou-Mingali : Thousands of Acacia plants are planted about 60 km north of Brazzaville. The species was chosen for its ability to enrich the soil, thus helping to increase local agricultural production.

Private sector involvement : On May 11, 2024, Banque Poste Congo (BPC) participated in the “One Agent, One Green Action” initiative to plant 11,000 acacia trees on 10 hectares of land. This initiative demonstrates the commitment of the private sector to reforestation efforts.

Keep working on it : Two days before the meeting, the National Afforestation and Reforestation Program (PRONAR) planted 50,000 acacia trees in Bambou-Mingali.

Personal commitment from President Denis Sassou Nguesso

These concrete actions linked to hosting CIAR demonstrate Congo Brazzaville’s desire to play a leading role in the fight against deforestation and climate change in Africa and around the world. They are a continuation of decades of efforts and strengthen the country’s position as a major player in environmental diplomacy.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso has published several books on the environment, which have contributed greatly to raising awareness and international mobilization on environmental issues. These works highlight the importance of protecting ecosystems and showcase the actions taken by Congo Brazzaville to preserve its natural heritage. This shows that the country’s commitment is undoubtedly the oldest and most consistent in Africa.