In mid-November 2017, the city of Yaoundé hosted a regional conference on illegal logging. The event was supported by the European Union, in the framework of the "Citizens’ Voice for Change: Forest observation in the Congo Basin” Project, an independent forestry observation initiative. It was thus the first gathering of law enforcement authorities and non-State actors to create synergy in actions to tackle illegal activities hampering development in the sector.

The main aim of the project is to boost the contribution of non-state actors (civil society organizations, indigenous peoples and community organizations) to improved forest governance, sustainable management of forests and the contribution of forests to the Congo Basin’s development. The project is implemented by the International Center for Development and Training (CIDT) of the University of Wolverhampton (United Kingdom) and several international, regional and national partners. It is funded by the European Union.

The conference attracted over 50 participants, mainly representatives of law enforcement agencies, national and international civil society and research organizations involved in the fight against illegal logging in Central and West Africa.

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