New-York, 10 May 2018 - The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations in partnership with the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) and in close collaboration with the CBFP Facilitation of the Kingdom of Belgium held a high-level side event at the UN Trusteeship alongside UNFF 13. The event was chaired by the Republic of Rwanda, which currently holds the Presidency of the Central African Forest Commission.

The high-level side event aimed to bring international visibility to the COMIFAC countries’ efforts in the area of conservation, management and sustainable development of forest ecosystems in Central Africa.  It brought together the Heads of diplomatic missions of COMIFAC countries accredited to the United Nations, key partners and donors, UNFF focal points in the Central African countries, the CBFP Facilitation of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Executive Secretariat. The meeting served to showcase the efforts of the COMIFAC member countries.

The high-level event revolved around:

• An opening session marked by three speeches: Delivered by Mr Ndomba Ngoye Raymond, Executive Secretary of COMIFAC and representative of the CBFP Facilitator of the Kingdom of Belgium, the opening speech by the Acting President of COMIFAC, Her Excellency Francine Tumushime, Minister of Lands and Forests of Rwanda, represented by Ms. Urujeni Bakuramutsa, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations

• A technical segment, comprising three presentations: Presentation 1: The importance of Congo Basin forests and their contribution to the global climate and ecosystem cycle -          Presentation 2: COMIFAC, a policy tool for sub regional cooperation in the Forest and Environment sector- Presentation 3: The future of Congo Basin Forest Ecosystems: challenges and prospects.
• A high-level panel entailing dialogue between the Heads of diplomatic missions and various partners which focused on strengthening financial support to mitigate the challenges of sustainable management, conservation and development in Central Africa.

Questions at the center of discussions focused on the following points:

• Apprehension by heads of diplomatic missions of efforts made by the sub-regional instrument.

• Central African countries' financing needs for forest management, biodiversity conservation, community development, mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

• Possible actions by diplomatic missions to increase partners' attention to the Congo Basin and COMIFAC.

For more information, kindly read:

The concept note of the high-level event