Brazzaville (Congo) - 03 to 06 July 2012, holding of REFADD fourth General Assembly coupled with a regional training workshop on the central theme: "Gender and Advocacy". Organized by REFADD Regional Coordination, with GIZ financial support, REFADD General Assembly gathered about twenty participants: The Vice Regional Coordinator, the Secretary General, REFADD national focal points, representatives of technical and financial partners and COMIFAC Executive Secretary.

Following the opening ceremony chaired by REFADD Focal Point in Congo, participants listened to introductory exposés on the first day on: (1) Harmonization of Forest and Tax Policies in Central Africa: REFADD Contribution; (2) Review Process of COMIFAC Convergence Plan: Appraisal of Gender Consideration; (3) 13 Years After Yaoundé Declaration: Stakes and Road Map. At the end, national focal points, one after the other, took the floor to present REFADD activities in their respective countries and these reports show that all the Branches are operational in the field through awareness and advocacy activities towards communities. Rwanda branch was formally established.

The next day, participants followed six other thematic presentations, including: (1) Gender and Climate Change, by Mrs Adelaïde ITOUA, REFADD Climate Change and Resource Person in Congo; (2) Women's Contribution in the Harmonization of APV/FLEGT Policies and Process and others by CAR Focal Point, Mrs Philomène BIA; (3) Forest Governance and Land Use in the Congo Basin, by the Deputy Regional Coordinator, Mrs Jeanne-Marie MINDJA; (4) Forest Certification in the Congo Basin: Stakes and Challenges, REFADD Focal Point in Gabon, Mrs Edwige EYANG EFFA; (5) Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) and Poverty Eradication in Rural Areas, the Case of Rwanda, by Mrs Dancilla MUKAKAMARI, REFADD Focal Point in Rwanda; (6) Female Entrepreneurship and Forest Sustainable Management, by Mrs Marie-Julienne LONGO, Congo Point Focal.

After two days of intense and fruitful deliberations, participants established a commission in order to finalize the development of the 2012-2015 action plan. They adopted REFADD updated statutes and by-laws. Nine (9) recommendations were formulated and a REFADD regional coordination elected. REFADD headquarters is based in Yaoundé, in accordance with its new statutes.

Available for download:

The Final Communiqué of REFADD General Assembly

List of the elected members of the new executive bureau.