Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are joining forces to address environmental challenges. The Congolese Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Claude Nyamugabo, and the Gabonese Minister of Water and Forests, Sea and Environment, Lee White, recently concluded a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of projects related to the environment and sustainable development. The initiative was taken by the heads of state, Ali Bongo of Gabon and Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi of the DRC. It aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the environmental sector, the sustainable management of forest ecosystems, the industrialisation of the timber industry, conservation, the management of protected areas (the equatorial forest, etc.), and the fight against climate change.
Gabon has nearly 120 years of experience in the forestry sector. Nearly 90% of the country is covered by tropical forests. The DRC, for its part, is endowed with strong forestry potential. The Gabonese experience may be effective for the DRC, as deforestation is in full swing in the country. Thanks to the Congo River, the second-longest river in Africa, the DRC is one of the richest surface water countries in the world. The country therefore has enormous hydraulic potential to produce electricity from this renewable primary energy.
The projects to be carried out
The agreement signed between Gabon and the DRC will improve transparency and monitoring systems. It will help provide both countries with more and better data on the use of renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Comprehensive green accounting is currently lacking in Gabon and the DRC.
The partnership agreement will also serve to create favourable conditions for both countries to maximise positive synergies for sustainable development. Finally, the cooperation provides for the establishment of programmes to strengthen the technical and scientific capacities of the partner states and institutions in the field of the environment.
Inès Magoum