WWF, FSC and ATIBT join forces for tropical forests: a strategic declaration in favour of the Congo Basin

On May 22, 2025, the Tropical Forestry Forum held at the Cologne Zoo provided a significant platform for dialogue and international collaboration on the future of tropical forests. The highlight of the event was the presentation and signing of a joint strategic declaration by the 3 partners WWF Germany, FSC Germany, and ATIBT, reaffirming the critical importance of sustainable forest management (SFM) in the Congo Basin.

This declaration marks a key milestone in the shared efforts of environmental organizations, certification bodies, and timber trade actors to align around a common message: the future of tropical forests depends not only on protection, but also on well-regulated, socially inclusive, and economically viable forest management.

Why the Congo Basin Matters

Home to over 200 million hectares of tropical forest, the Congo Basin is the second-largest rainforest in the world and a major carbon sink and biodiversity reservoir. Yet only 12% of its forest area is formally protected, while about 25% is managed under forest concessions. This means that the majority of its conservation potential lies in the way its forests are managed—not just in keeping them untouched.

Key Messages from the Declaration

FSC Certification: A Trusted Tool for Sustainability
The declaration underscores the role of FSC certification as the leading system for sustainable forest management in Central Africa. By setting strict environmental, social, and legal standards, FSC helps ensure forests are responsibly managed while supporting local livelihoods and maintaining ecosystem services.
Advancing a Socio-Ecological Model
The signatories call for a broader socio-ecological SFM approach that combines:

Genuine participation of local and Indigenous communities in governance
Promotion of both local and international timber markets
Biodiversity and wildlife protection
Integration of socio-environmental criteria in financing schemes
Development of innovative financial mechanisms

A Call for Increased Support to the Forestry Sector
The declaration emphasizes the role of the private forestry sector as a major employer and source of national revenue in Central Africa. It urges donors, financial institutions, and markets to step up by:

Recognizing certification safeguards
Adapting procurement criteria
Supporting market access for certified tropical timber
Promoting Payments for Environmental Services (PES) as a revenue stream for forest communities and businesses

From Vision to Action

In their concluding message, WWF, FSC, and ATIBT stress the urgency of mobilizing all stakeholders—governments, civil society, financial institutions, and the private sector—to turn sustainable forest management into a widespread and actionable solution. They note that sustainable forestry can unlock access to new climate funding, including initiatives like Brazil’s Tropical Forestry Forever Facility, amplifying its impact far beyond the forestry sector.

United for the Forests

This declaration is more than a statement of intent—it is a shared commitment to action, to ensure that the forests of the Congo Basin can continue to provide for both people and planet.

ATIBT invite all stakeholders to join us in building a future where tropical forests thrive through responsible management and strong collaboration.

Download the full English declaration here