Participants to the presentation workshop of the Guides exchanged extensively on the documents prepared by USFS, experiences on the zoning plan and adopted the roadmap indicating the next steps towards the sub-regional directive in terms for Land Development planning (participatory approach).

Douala (Cameroon), 19 to 22 April 2011 – Holding of a workshop under the theme “Land Development Planning at COMIFAC/CBFP Landscape Level and Exchange of Experience on Zoning Plan”. This meeting was organized by COMIFAC Executive Secretariat with the technical support of CARPE/USAID, CARPE/UICN and COMIFAC/USFS Over forty participants, including mainly representatives of COMIFAC Executive Secretariat, COMIFAC national coordinators, USFS representatives, representatives of national civil society organisations (CTFC), representatives of sub-regional institutions (PACEBCo, RAPAC, CEFDHAC), representatives of development partners (GIZ, WWF, UICN, CARPE, CI, WRI, WCS, ACDI, BAD), and CBFP Facilitation, attended the meeting.

The overall objective of this workshop was mainly to present/update the 4 USFS Guides of Land Development Planning at the level of priority landscapes in the Congo Basin and to exchange experience on the zoning plan. Following the opening ceremony chaired by COMIFAC Deputy Executive Secretary, Mr Martin Tadoum, participants listened to many communications followed by in-depth plenary discussions on twelve aspects, including: (1) CBFP Context by Dogmo Pokem from the Canadian Facilitation; (2) CARPE/PFBC Context by Nicodème Tchamou; (3) Guide Elaboration Method by Jason KO; (4) Guide for Landscape Integrated Development Planning by Bill Connelly; (5) Presentation of an Example of Guide Use in the Field: the case of the Maringa-Lopori-Wamba Landscape by Jeff  Dupain; (6) Presentation of the Guide for Protected Area Management Planning by David Fournier; (7) Presentation of an Example of Use in the Field: the case of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve-Ituri Landscape by Robert M.; (8) Presentation of the Guide of Extractive Area Planning by Bill Connelly; (9) Presentation of an Example of Use in the Field: the case of TRIDOM by Pauvel Dewachter (10) Presentation of Countries (by each country representative). (11) Guide Capitalisation and Opportunity (FTNS) (12) Guide Capitalisation: RAPAC (SE RAPAC, PACEBCo).

After exposés and plenary discussions, work groups were set up following guides’ structure. (1) Landscape Development (2) Protected Areas (3) Extractive Areas (4) CBNRMZ Zones. It appears from plenary discussions that participants updated the four guides and highlighted the main points which are expected to be taken into consideration in reviewing the four Guides. Concerning the outcome of the meeting moderated by Mr Antoine EYEBE (CARPE/UICN) and Nicodème Tchamou (CARPE/USAID), participants formulated recommendations as a roadmap for the next steps towards the sub-regional directive on land development planning (participatory approach).

To learn more, please download the final communiqué of the workshop in Douala

Refer to Mr Jason ko (jko@fs.fed.us) for further details

Full workshop documentation available:  Here

Photo: @USFS - M. Jason ko (jko@fs.fed.us)