Brussels, 05 October 2016: The European Facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership is very pleased to welcome CEFDHAC as a new CBFP member.

Recognized by the Heads of State in the 2005 Treaty, the Conference on Dense and Humid Forests Ecosystems of Central Africa (CEFDHAC) is a multi-stakeholder process launched in 1996 in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. It was designed to promote cooperation towards the conservation and sustainable use of forest resources in Central Africa.

Through national discussion fora, CEFDHAC brings together all the players in the sustainable management of forest ecosystems in the ten COMIFAC (Central African Forest Commission) countries which include: Burundi, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe and Chad.

It equally encompasses six specialized networks which are each involved through their specialty area in the sustainable management of forest resources in Central Africa. The six networks include: the Network of Parliamentarians (REPAR) The Women’s Network (REFADD) The Youth Network (REJEFAC), the Network of Indigenous People (REPALEAC), the Community Radio Network (RERAC), the Environmental Assessment Network (SEEAC).

Within the framework of its Regional Steering Committee, CEFDHAC contributes to the implementation of Convergence Plan 2, by mobilizing stakeholders, and ensuring multi-stakeholder participation in integrated management of forest resources. In this respect, in the wake of reforms which entailed the validation of its texts by the COMIFAC Council of Ministers held in April 2008 in Bangui, the CEFDHAC member networks were revitalized and National Forums put in place. Each in its specialty area brings its contribution to the implementation of the Convergence Plan 2, and these contributions are capitalized by the Regional Steering Committee of CEFDHAC within the framework of a democratic and concerted debate on Central Africa’s dense and humid forest ecosystems.

CEFDHAC is now one of 87 CBFP member countries and organizations, working together in Central Africa to promote sustainable management of forest resources, improve people’s living conditions and protect the unique biodiversity of the sub-region’s humid forests.

By applying for CBFP membership, IRET has demonstrated its commitment to the Congo Basin to all the existing members of the Partnership.

With the firm belief that the partnership will be able to count on CEFDHAC’s active participation and constructive engagement in addressing the huge challenges facing the Congo Basin’s magnificent natural heritage, and on behalf of all the CBFP members, the European Facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership welcomes the Conference on Dense and Humid Forest Ecosystems of Central Africa (CEFDHAC).

CEFDHAC focal points at the CBFP

Mr. Louis Roger ESSOLA ETOA

President of the Regional Steering Committee (CPR)

1. Mail: alosserl@yahoo.fr

and

Mr. PASSE SANAND Patrice

Communications Officer

P passesanand@yahoo.fr /passesanandpatrice1@gmail.com

For further information, please visit:

• CEFDHAC
• National CEFDHAC fora