Emerging issues in the Congo Basin such as forest carbon strategies under the FCPF, UNREDD and FIP and mainstreaming of ecosystem services and natural capital accounting, the Analysis of the Congo Basin 2040, the main conclusions of the COMIFAC Council of Ministers’ meeting and their implementation, CEFDHAC sustainability, the CBFP balance sheet after ten years of existence, the US vision of the CBFP facilitation for the 2013-2015 period, were some of the main topics discussed in Douala (Cameroon) from 19 to 20 March 2013 during the 12^th MoP of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP).

 

 

 

Placed under the patronage of the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon, His Excellency Ngole Philip Ngwese, and chaired by Dr. Hans Schipulle, the CBFP Focal Point in Germany, this 12th MoP was organized with the technical support of GIZ, the COMIFAC support office, and the financial support of the Canadian Government. It aimed to ensure continuity of actions carried out by the CBFP during the transition phase with a view to sustainable management of forest ecosystems and safeguarding biodiversity for the benefit of Congo Basin populations.

 

 

 

Over two hundred and seventy (270) participants representing CBFP partners flocked to this important meeting. Also present were representatives of the Cameroon Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, COMIFAC Executive Secretariat, COMIFAC National Coordinations and Climate Focal Points, CEFDHAC networks (REJEFAC, REFADD, REPAR, RIFFEAC, REPALEAC/RACOPY), forest and environmental administrations, sub-regional institutions, civil society organizations, technical and financial partners of the Congo Basin.

 

 

Special emphasis on revamping COMIFAC and the CBFP

 

In support of the Chair of the proceedings of the 12th CBFP MoP , the sessions were facilitated by Mr. Michel Pré (France), Mrs Christine Connelley (UK), Mr. Raymond Mbitikon and Martin Tadoum (COMIFAC Executive Secretariat) and Dr André Kamdem Toham (USA). The sessions equally served as an opportunity for partners to emphasize the need to lend new impetus to COMIFAC and PFBC, be it during discussions on the preliminary road map of the future American facilitation or when discussing the priority actions of CBFP and COMIFAC

 

 

A Meeting Focused on Sharing Innovative Results

 

The Side Events organized also provided a forum during which the CBFP partners unveiled their programs, projects and results achieved in the implementation of the COMIFAC convergence plan and also served to strengthen synergies between the partners. Thus, the Side Events were built around six (6) themes reflecting the partners’ priority intervention areas, namely:

 

(1) the Central African World Heritage Forest Initiative (CAWFHI).  Moderated by Leila MAZIZ, (WCS/UNESCO); UNESCO presented the results of CAWFHI previous phases and shared its vision of stakes involved with its current and potential partners.

 

 

(2) FAO’s Action Strategy in the Congo Basin? Moderated by Henk Hoefsloot (FAO/FFBC/COMIFAC project), this event was aimed at consulting with partners on expected outcomes in each priority action area and on the possibilities of developing synergies and partnerships based on common interest initiatives.

(3) A Presentation of the PAFC and PEFC Certification Systems (Certification). Moderated by Rémi Sournia (PEFC), this event entailed a presentation of the CBFP and the PEPC systems in Africa and more specifically in the Congo Basin and PAFC activities in Cameroon.

(4) Training in the Forestry and Environmental Sectors for Sustainable Development in the Congo Basin: Innovative Results in the area of RIFFEAC “Training” Projects Moderated by Soulémane IBRAHIM SAMBO (RIFFEAC), this event featured the presentation of the innovative results achieved by RIFFEAC « Training » projects.

(5) The Operationalization of the ECCAS Local Development Fund (LDF) in the PACEBCo landscapes. Dr. Bihini Won wa MUSITI, the PACEBCo Regional Coordinator who also served as moderator, summarized the presentations of the ECCAS LDF and its implementation mechanisms).

(6) The COMIFAC Regional Atlas on Land Use (GIZ-GFA). Moderated by the GIZ Program Officer for Sustainable Forest Management in the Congo Basin, Mr. Paul Scholte,this event featured a presentation of the COMIFAC regional atlas as a support tool for the management of the platform expected to lead to the elaboration of an indicative land use framework for developing zoning plans in each country. Following two days of intense and fruitful deliberations, participants at the 12^th CBFPMoP formulated strong recommendations which are captured in the Document on the main conclusions of the 12^th CBFP Meeting of Partners prepared by the Chairman of the proceedings.

 

 

Download the Main Conclusions of the Chairman of the proceedings of the 12^th Meeting of partners of the CBFP

 

Kindly click the link below to download full documentation on the 12^th CBFP Meeting of Partners

 

 

 

Blending business with pleasure

 

 

An evening  gala featuring a cultural show was offered by the host country, at La Falaise Hotel, Bonanjo, Douala (Cameroon) on Monday 18 March 2013, from 07:00p.m. to 09:30 pm. to the delight of participants.