Please download the press release of CIBES 18 below:

CIBES_2018_COMMUNIQUE FINAL.PDF (1.1 Mo)

Following the release of the results of the first IPBES Africa assessment, an international conference was held in Kinshasa from 24 to 26 July 2018, entitled: International conference “Research for conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Current situation, stakes and solutions for the DRC”, abbreviated CIBES. Jointly hosted by the GIZ’s Biodiversity maintenance and Sustainable forest management program (BGF), the Universities of Lubumbashi and Kinshasa and the Intergovernmental Scientific and Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the conference was held under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.

With over 200 delegates from universities and research institutions, State agencies overseeing various sectors, civil society, local and indigenous communities, the private sector, technical and financial partners, the CIBES meeting aimed to reflect on ways and means of promoting integration of research data on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the design and implementation of national conservation and development strategies and policies in the DRC. The strategies and policies are designed in line with international discussions/agendas, notably the Aichi Objectives, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 for Africa.

At the close of the proceedings which were built around plenary sessions, side meetings on themes such as “Biodiversity and ecosystem services”, “the Impact of pressures on biodiversity” and “Innovative solutions to conservation” as well as the exhibition session featuring Aïchi posters, a string of recommendations were put to Congolese government, universities and research institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector and technical and financial partners.

The task force established under the leadership of the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, to follow-up on implementation of the recommendations and in view of establishing a CongoBES, is now operational.

As noted in the IPBES Africa evaluation report: “we face daunting challenges, but let us come together to build the future we want”.

Fabrice MAMBWE & Sarah MAMBU

BGF/GIZ RDC

Contact:  danielle.fouth@giz.de / simon.baer@giz.de

For more Information, please consult the following PDF Documents: