Apart from this common position, GTBAC 12 assesses the implementation of GTBAC 11 recommendations and GTBAC 2011 roadmap concerning NTFPs promotion. It identifies actions to undertake for the implementation of MOP5 decisions of Cartagena Protocol and needs for the transfer of Central African countries APA experiences to those of West Africa and finally formulates 9 strong recommendations. These are the main results of the eleventh GTBAC meeting.

Please, download the Final Communiqué of GTBAC 12

From 28 to 31 May 2011, the twelfth GTBAC meeting held in Douala (Cameroon) on the implementation of the decisions of the Tenth Conference of Parties (CdP10) at the Convention on Biological Biodiversity and the fifth meeting of parties to the Cartagena Protocol on the prevention of Biotechnological risks (RdP5) and the next meeting of the NTFPs Sub-Work Group.

The following COMIFAC member countries attended: Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, CAR, DRC, Chad and Sao Tome & Principe, Representatives of international organisations and of the civil society (FAO, ICRAF, UICN, REFADD, RAPAC), the representative of GIZ support project to COMIFAC, members of COMIFAC Executive Secretariat and CBFP Facilitation representatives.  The workshop was organized by COMIFAC Executive Secretariat with the financial assistance of GIZ support project to COMIFAC, the Initiative for capacity building in the area of access to Biological/genetic resources and the just and fair sharing of benefits derived from their use (APA) for Africa and of FAO. (Family Photo GTBAC 10).

Two of the main objectives of GTBAC 12 were, (1) To make an appraisal of APA-related activities in the different COMIFAC countries in order to see how to build capacities for the implementation of APA protocol at national level; (2) To organize GTBAC members in thematic groups to ensure the implementation of APA Protocol and of all COP10 decisions at sub-regional and national levels; (3) To identify actions to undertake for the implementation of Cartagena Protocol MOP5 decisions; (4) To evaluate the implementation of GTBAC 11 recommendations and GTBAC 2011 roadmap; (5) To prepare the first Intergovernmental Committee meeting on APA Protocol which shall hold from 6 to 10 June 2011 in Montréal, preceded by a consultation meeting from 4 to 5 June and by an African meeting on 3 June.

During four days punctuated by many plenary communications, participants listened to exposés built around eight points, namely: (1) To evaluate the implementation of GTBAC 11 recommendations and 2011 roadmap; (2) Status report of APA process in countries. (3) Activities related to the exportation of Prunus Africana (4) Objective of the participation to Senegal APA Focal Point GTBAC 12 (5) Domestication of NTFPs (6) Status report of GTBAC roadmap concerning NTFPs promotion (7) Restitution of results of GTBAC participation in CBFP regional consultative committee in Bujumbura (8) Preparation of action and media days on biodiversity in Central African forests.

Following intense plenary and group discussions, participants adopted a final communiqué. In general, GTBAC 12 evaluates the implementation of GTBAC 11 recommendations and GTBAC 2011 roadmap concerning NTFPs promotion. It identifies actions to undertake for the implementation of MOP15 decisions of Cartagena Protocol and the needs of transferring Central African countries APA experiences to those of West Africa and eventually formulates 9 strong recommendations. These are the main results of the eleventh GTBAC meeting.

In conclusion, constructive discussions and concrete results of this 12^th meeting confirmed the important contribution desired by GTBAC in order to guarantee the implementation of Nagoya recommendations in Central Africa.

For a better understanding of the stakes of this meeting, please download: 

Final Communiqué

NTFPs Sub-Work Group in Central Africa: Status report of GTBAC roadmap in the domain of NTFPs promotion

ICRAF: NTFPs Domestication

Presentation of GTBAC and other COMIFAC Work Groups results from the 9^th CCR-CBFP meeting held in Bujumbura (Burundi) from 25 to 27 May 2011

Read GTBAC 11 conclusions again

To learn more, please contact Mr NCHOUTPOUEN CHOUIBOU –cnchoutpouen@yahoo.fr)