UNESCO and Pro-Natura International are pleased to announce that the Pro-Natura Congo Basin Biosphere Bio-Carbon Forum will take place in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, 21-22 April 2010. This event is organized in partnership with the Chair of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, Mr. Henri Djombo, Minister of Forest Economy, Environment and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Congo. 

Please download the preliminary program in brochure form

The purpose of the Forum is to bring together regional stakeholders to discuss concrete steps toward strengthening the biosphere reserve network in Central Africa and using Congo Basin biosphere reserves as pilot sites to combat deforestation, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable development through bio-carbon modalities.  This event is being organized in the context of the UNESCO-MAB Africa Bio-Carbon (ABC) Initiative, which seeks to develop strategies and models for climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in biosphere reserves in Africa through modalities such as REDD+, afforestation/reforestation, biochar, and alternative energies.

It is expected that the Forum, which will bring together biosphere reserve managers and MAB Network members with other UNESCO partners, regional bodies, donors, NGOs, and investors, will define strategic directions for the MAB Programme and biosphere reserves in Central Africa.

A field visit will be organized for all interested participants on April 23.

If your are interested to attend the Forum, please contact for registration materials:

(1)   N. Ishwaran - Director Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences: 1, rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex, France - Tel: 00 33 1 45 68 40 67 -  E-mail: n.ishwaran@unesco.org

(2)   Guy F. Reinaud - President Pro-Natura International : 15, avenue de Ségur, 75007 Paris, France - Tel : 00 33 1 53 59 97 98 - E-mail: guy.reinaud@pronatura.org