18.07.2025
From July 9 to 11, 2025, the Regional Conference of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) was held in Libreville, focusing on two major conservation issues in Central Africa: environmental crime and human-wildlife conflict.
A voice for the private sector at a high-level event
The ATIBT was actively represented by its President, Françoise Van de Ven, who is also Chair of the CFBP Private Sector College. Ms. Van de Ven took part in a side event entitled “Joining forces against environmental crime: towards regional ecological security,” held on July 10. Organized by the CEEAC, COMIFAC, UNODC, UNEP and CBFP, this exchange brought together policy makers, regional institutions, NGOs, and technical and financial partners. The objective was to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation to secure transboundary protected areas and structure a coordinated response to regional environmental threats.
The Steering Committee and the Forest Pact: important preliminary work
Ahead of the conference, on July 9, two strategic meetings were held with the participation of CBFP members, including ATIBT:
· The CBFP Steering Committee, co-chaired by Burundian Minister Prosper DODIKO and the French and Gabonese ambassadors, addressed several key issues: progress on the Global Pact for the Forests of Central Africa (PGFAC), CBFP governance, and preparations for major international deadlines (COP 30, CITES, IUCN Congress).
· The Ad Hoc Working Group on the Compact, bringing together member states, donors, COMIFAC, ECCAS, CEMAC, civil society, scientists and the private sector, worked on structuring the new Compact for the Forests of the Congo Basin, successor to the Congo Basin Pledge. This document aims to formalize an ambitious and shared commitment, incorporating concrete contributions from all CBFP colleges, including the private sector, for a strong announcement at COP30 in Belém in November 2025.
A clear message conveyed by ATIBT
ATIBT's participation in these various events served as a reminder of the importance of a committed private sector in addressing the challenges of environmental crime and forest preservation. ATIBT emphasized that the fight against environmental crime must be based on an inclusive approach, fully involving responsible forestry companies, particularly those engaged in sustainable management and certification initiatives.
This vision promoted by ATIBT contributes to building regional ecological security, an essential pillar for preserving biodiversity, ensuring the legality of supply chains and strengthening coexistence between people and wildlife.
Next steps
The recommendations from the conference and preparatory meetings will feed into the Libreville Declaration and an inter-agency roadmap to be published by the end of 2025. ATIBT will continue to be actively involved in the work of the CBFP, particularly with a view to finalizing the Pact and the next international steps.
See photos of the event Find out more about the CBFP conference
