Central African forests: global importance and threats to the Congo Basin
The Congo Basin, a crucial wilderness area, is vital for global carbon sequestration. Unfortunately, deforestation, degradation, and the climate crisis pose serious threats to this ecosystem.
“The Congo Basin plays a key role globally, providing rainfall to the Sahel region and various ecosystem services,” said Richard Eba’a Atyi, CIFOR-ICRAF’s Regional Coordinator for Central Africa.
Central African forests sustain 75 million people across several countries, including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.
“Conservation of these forests is not just about the environment but also about supporting local communities and Indigenous Peoples,” emphasized Dr. Aurelie Flore Koumba Pambo from the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP).
Despite their significance, the Congo Basin forests are rapidly vanishing, with projections showing a 27% decrease by 2050 without immediate action.
Mining and logging activities, often illegal and unsustainable, are major drivers of deforestation in the region. Experts stress the need for a better understanding of the forests to address these issues at their core.
“Effective natural resource management requires scientific knowledge and resources,” said Eba’a Atyi.
From 2008 to 2017, only 11.5% of global financing for tropical forest conservation went to Central Africa. Experts urge urgent measures to secure funding for preserving these vital forests.
- Find photos of the Congo Basin, the speakers, and the OFAC hybrid forum here.
- Explore more about Central African forests: Facts & Numbers of Central African Protected Areas 2024 (EN) and State of the Forests 2021 (EN and FR).
- Schedule interviews in English or French with key experts:
- Christian Ruck, CBFP Facilitator of Germany, specializing in sustainable forest management and climate change.
- Florence Palla, Project Coordinator at OFAC RIOFAC, expert in forest data management.
- Richard Eba’a Atyi, CIFOR-ICRAF Regional Coordinator for Central Africa, expert in forest management.
- Robert Nasi, CIFOR-ICRAF COO, global expert in forests and sustainable livelihoods.
- For more information, photos, quotes, forum recordings, or interviews, contact Kelly Quintero (k.quintero@cifor-icraf.org).
About OFAC
The Observatory of Forests of Central Africa (OFAC) provides critical data and insights on the region’s forests and protected areas for informed decision-making.
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