Kribi, Cameroon, 20 June 2025 — A first-of-its-kind regional forum on forest conservation wrapped up today in Kribi, Cameroon, charting a new course for South-South cooperation across Africa’s most critical forest regions.
Held under the banner “Advancing South-South Exchange in the Conservation of Critical Forest Landscapes,” the five-day conference, jointly organized by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Conservation International (CI), in collaboration with the Central Africa Forests Commission (COMIFAC) and presided over by Pierre Hélé, Cameroon’s Minister of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, brought together government officials, scientists, civil society leaders, and international partners from across the Congo Basin, Upper Guinean Forests and the Amazon.
It marked the first-ever south-south knowledge-sharing event, focused on the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded Critical Forests Integrated Programmes. The Conference served as a dynamic space for exchanging lessons, showcasing innovations, and aligning regional strategies to protect some of the world’s richest yet most threatened forest ecosystems.
Participants emphasized the urgency of enhancing cross-border action, scaling up nature-based solutions, and integrating traditional ecological knowledge into national forest policies. From community-led restoration initiatives to satellite-based forest monitoring, a broad range of approaches were discussed for their adaptability and impact.
Strengthening Regional Governance and Policy Coherence
A key outcome of the conference was the commitment to enhanced regional cooperation and policy harmonization across national boundaries. Participants emphasized the critical importance of strengthening regional bodies including the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), COMIFAC, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Mano River Union (MRU) to facilitate effective transboundary forest and watershed governance.
“The launch of the Congo Forest Integrated Programme is an important step towards strengthening cooperation on the environment and natural resource management in Central Africa,” said Dr Honoré Tabuna, ECCAS Commissioner for the Environment, natural resources, agriculture and rural development. “This programme provides a framework for regional cooperation that could enable the forests of the Congo Basin to serve as a source of solutions to global environmental challenges".
Participating countries and partners in the Guinean Forests Integrated Program, which is launching its first phase, welcomed the opportunity to learn from the experiences of the Congo Basin Integrated Program, now entering its second phase, recognizing the value of cross-landscape collaboration. Both regions face shared threats and challenges, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, and weak forest governance structures, thereby underscoring the importance of mutual learning and coordinated action. The conference underscored how South-South exchanges can serve as a powerful catalyst for transformative change. By fostering a common platform for sharing best practices, aligning strategies, and amplifying regional voices, participating countries are better positioned to speak with one voice on forest governance priorities.
“The Guinean Forests and Congo Basin are distinct yet interconnected. By learning from each other and aligning our efforts, we can create a unified front to address the complex cross-cutting threats facing our forests,” said Jimmiel Mandima, Senior Vice President, Africa, Conservation International. “This is the essence of South-South cooperation: building solidarity, trust, and coordinated action across regions for lasting impact” concluded Mandima.
At the regional level in West Africa, the Forest Convergence Plan of ECOWAS serves as a unifying policy framework to guide forest governance, restoration, and sustainable management across West Africa. As pressures on forest ecosystems intensify, there is growing recognition among ECOWAS Member States of the need to translate policy into concrete, coordinated action. The ongoing revision of the ECOWAS Forest Convergence Plan reflects this urgency and presents an opportunity to align regional priorities with national implementation.
“The revision of the Forest Convergence Plan is the driver for a strong regional engagement and an effective effort on restoration and conservation of the Upper Guinean Forest,” said Bernard Koffi, Director of Environment & Natural Resources at ECOWAS. The Guinean Forests Integrated Program builds on this momentum to operationalise these ambitions through coordinated action on the ground.
Cameroon's Leadership in Indigenous Rights and Community Empowerment
As the host nation, Cameroon demonstrated strong leadership in emphasizing the fundamental role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in forest conservation. The conference highlighted mechanisms for meaningful participation in forest governance decisions and the development of direct payment mechanisms that benefit local communities.
"Cameroon's commitment extends beyond hosting this landmark conference – we are supporting an approach that places Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the heart of forest conservation," said Adama Saidou, Director of Promotion of Sustainable Development, Cameroon. "Our experience demonstrates that true biodiversity protection can only be achieved when we recognize and strengthen the traditional knowledge systems and governance structures of forest communities. These initiatives provide a framework for ensuring that conservation efforts not only protect our natural heritage but also enhance the livelihoods and cultural rights of those who have been the forests' guardians for generations."
UNEP, leading the Congo Forest Integrated Programme, emphasized the transformational potential of the integrated landscape approach being implemented across six Central African countries: Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
"The Kribi Conference has demonstrated that Africa is ready to lead the global conversation on innovative forest conservation approaches," said Fatou Ndoye, Deputy Director of UNEP's Regional Office for Africa. "Through the Congo Forest Integrated Programme, we are not just protecting forests – we are building a new model of environmental governance that integrates policy coherence, community empowerment, and innovative financing. The commitments made here in Kribi will provide a roadmap, showing how South-South cooperation can accelerate the implementation of nature-based solutions that benefit both ecosystems and the millions of people who depend on them."
Global Environment Facility's Strategic Investment
The Global Environment Facility's substantial investment in both the Congo Basin and Guinean Forests programmes represents a strategic commitment to addressing interconnected environmental challenges through integrated programming approaches.
"By bringing together countries and partners from across the Western and Central Africa regions, this conference has demonstrated the immense potential to transform how the African rainforest can be safeguarded for posterity. Experiences in the Congo Basin on science-policy interface, governance, and stakeholder engagement offers invaluable lessons for the Guinean Forest countries. This knowledge exchange and learning will no doubt position countries to deliver on commitments under major multilateral agreements served by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. GEF remains committed to supporting these efforts through the Critical Forest Biomes Integrated Program" noted Mohamed Bakarr, Manager, Integration and Knowledge Division, GEF Secretariat.
Call to Action and Continued Commitment
The Kribi forum closed with renewed commitments to deeper regional coordination, improved data-sharing, and sustained capacity-building. Participants agreed a road-map to maintain momentum and foster long-term collaboration, supporting implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework's targets for ecosystem conservation and restoration.
As the world accelerates efforts to meet biodiversity and climate goals, this regional exchange reaffirms that South-South leadership will be essential to shaping the future of global forest conservation.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Congo Forest Integrated Programme
The GEF-funded Congo Forest Integrated Programme consists of two sequential initiatives: the GEF-7 Congo Basin Impact Programme (2021-2026) and the GEF-8 Congo Critical Forest Biome Integrated Programme (2025-2032). Together, these programmes represent an investment of approximately $100 million from the GEF, supporting forest conservation and sustainable management through a regional landscape approach. More information about the program can be accessed HERE.
About the Guinean Forests Integrated Programme
The GEF-funded Guinean Forests Integrated Programme is a $22 million initiative that supports forest conservation and sustainable land management through a regional, transboundary landscape approach in West Africa. More information about the program can be accessed HERE.
About the Global Environment Facility
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) includes several multilateral funds working together to address the planet's most pressing challenges in an integrated way. Its financing helps developing countries address complex challenges and work towards meeting international environmental goals. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $26 billion in financing, primarily as grants, and mobilized another $153 billion for country-driven priority projects.
About the UN Environment Programme
The UN Environment Programme is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
About Conservation International
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.
For more information please contact:
UNEP: unep-ecosystems-conforest@un.org or visit : www.congolandscapes.org
Conservation International : cigef@conservation.org or visit: Guinean Forests Integrated Program