Download the report of the first meeting of the COPIL (Steering Committee) of the S&MNV Project (Monitoring and National MNV Systems with a Regional Approach for Congo Basin Countries)

Douala (Cameroon), 16-17 July 2013 – At the invitation of COMIFAC Executive Secretary (HE), Mr. Raymond MBITIKON, the first meeting of the Steering Committee (COPIL) of the S&MNV Project held at Hôtel la Falaise in Douala. The participants came from 9 COMIFAC countries (Cameroon, Congo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, CAR, Burundi, Sao Tomé and Principe, DRC and Gabon); also attending were observers from FAO and ADB-CBFF.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Raymond MBITIKON, chairman of the S&MNV Steering Committee, and the Secretariat held by Mr. Cléto NDIKUMAGENGE, Senior Technical Adviser (CTP) of the Project. It was aimed at validating the deliverables of the first semester of project implementation and planning activities for the second semester. This COPIL meeting focused on three major points:

Opening Address of the Meeting

In his opening address, the COPIL Chairman and COMIFAC E.S., Mr. Raymond MBITIKON, expressed his gratitude to the project Manager for facilities in the implementation of the S&MNV project and to the FAO delegation that came from ROME for the occasion. He went on to stress the need for countries to own the process by involving focal points.

The address of the COPIL Chairman set the stage for a better contribution of participants to the rest of meeting.

Presentation in Plenary and Discussion

This was a series of presentations on the implementation level of activities and the prospects of the S&MNV Project for the next semester. More specifically,

♦ project achievements during the first semester 2013,

♦ activities planned for the management of the regional aspect,

♦ the format of the Action Plan of the national monitoring system,

♦ project implementation modalities and recommendations for the 2013 second semester,

♦ the sample memorandum of understanding between the FAO and other partners,

♦ Modalities for the establishment of a group of independent experts to review RPP proposals and action plans of monitoring systems.

These different presentations gave participants the possibility to acquire the same level of understanding of the project and to assess the progress of activities and to formulate recommendations for greater project effectiveness in the different countries.

Formulation of Recommendations:

Based on elements identified in the presentations, participants formulated recommendations to entities involved in the implementation of the project:

The Project team, for a better organization of activities in the countries of the Central African sub-region, and a technical and financial support in the R-PP production process.

The COMIFAC and INPE, for a greater involvement of COMIFAC in the selection process of participants in the training organized by INPE,

COMIFAC countries, for the establishment of communication mechanisms in order to facilitate ownership at the level of ministries and in the supervision of consultants’ initiatives.

The COPIL meeting closed with recommendation notes, whereby participants expressed their satisfaction. The second COPIL meeting has been scheduled for January 2014 in Douala.

Download the report of the first meeting of the COPIL (Steering Committee) of the S&MNV Project (Monitoring and National MNV Systems with a Regional Approach for Congo Basin Countries)