Kinshasa, May 2024
The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, in partnership with Groupe Utalii Kwetu and Kongo River, organized a Regional Conclave from April 22 to 24, 2024, bringing together stakeholders working to preserve the Congo Basin and support economic opportunities for local communities. Sodefor was invited to take an active part as a key player in the sustainable development of the DRC's forests.
The Congo Basin Conclave aims to lead the conversation around biodiversity conservation with key stakeholders from the DRC, Congo Brazza, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. The first phase of this conclave began with specific sessions in each of the 5 target countries (March 2024). During these sessions, participants selected by the US government met at US embassies in Brazzaville, Kinshasa, Libreville, Malabo and Yaoundé. During these exchanges, they assessed what each wanted to bring and get from the regional conclave, and brainstormed ideas for regional cooperation and exchanges to present at the regional conclave.
In the second phase of the project, around 100 delegates representing the five target countries gathered in Kinshasa for a 3-day regional conclave. The event was divided between general interest sessions and breakout sessions on central themes, where participants shared experiences and developed ideas for regional projects.
Sodefor has participated actively in the Land Governance, Forest Governance and Agroforestry group, as the focal point for the DRC's formal forestry sector. Through its Coordinator of Studies and Sustainable Management, experiences in sustainable development of the DRC's forests in collaboration with local communities and indigenous peoples were shared and debated. Other themes such as climate justice, solidarity, eco-citizenship, peace, the promotion of women, forest conservation and biodiversity were shared as experiences developed by Sodefor that serve as examples and inspiration for all those involved in protecting the forests and biodiversity of the Congo Basin, thus contributing to the fight against climate change.
