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The Democratic Republic of Congo determined to protect peatlands for the benefit of indigenous and local communities


publié le 17-02-2021

The government of the Republic, through the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, says it is determined to protect all peatlands scattered across the country, taking into account the advantages and benefits of local communities and indigenous peoples.

The Minister of the Environment Claude Nyamugabo declared it Friday, in Kinshasa, during the holding of the round table on the presentation of the vision, the advances and the perspectives of the peatland theme, in the presence of the deputy representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), actors in society as well as various national and international experts.

In his words, Minister Claude Nyamugabo observed that the Congo Basin basin is home to the largest tropical peatland in the world, covering an area of ​​nearly 145,000Km2 with a carbon stock estimated at 30 gigatons, or the equivalent of two years of global greenhouse gas emissions.

He pointed out that 2/3 of this peat bog, approximately 101,500Km2, is in the DRC. Minister Claude Nyamugabo recalled that since the third meeting of the global peatland initiative held in Brazzaville in March 2018, an activity that led to the commitment of States to invest in sustainable practices compatible with the conservation of peatlands, the DRC launched its dynamic country on the valuation of peatlands.

This round table, said Claude Nyamugabo, was an opportunity to communicate on the national vision of peatlands while considering the advances and perspectives of the thematic peatland.

For him, the discussions thus initiated should make it possible to pave the way for the development of the national peatland strategy in the DRC.

He also thanked FAO for its interest in the peatland issue and for its active participation in this meeting.

On this occasion, the Minister of the Environment presented to the participants the national vision on peatlands, which consists of enhancing and protecting people and nature.

Thus, he asked the Peatland Management Unit coordinated by Jean-Jacques Bambuta Boole, to take into account the guidelines in the development of the peatland strategy, including those of carrying out multisectoral studies, to conduct consultations with parties must and operate thematic groups, communicate regularly with national and provincial parties.

FAO deputy representative Nourou Tall previously said this work was being held after the national and international party outreach workshop that took place December 16-17 online.

He stressed that sustainable peatland management requires identifying challenges and opportunities, discussing the inclusion of peatlands in the organization of climate policy such as nationally determined contributions.

Mr. Nourou Tall said that FAO's vision in the DRC is to support the roadmap which aims, among other things, to promote livelihoods for people living in peatlands.

He also thanked Minister Claude Nyamugabo for his personal involvement in holding this meeting. Thanks also went to the International Climate Initiative of the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of the Federal Republic of Germany for its financial support.

Finally, Mr. Nourou Tall was delighted to see FAO's partners in other initiatives such as the Forest Monitoring Program, Integrated REDD Program and drivers of deforestation taking part in this foundation and above all committed to collaborating with this initiative. .

Addressed by the press, the coordinator of the Peatland Management Unit, Jean-Jacques Bambuta Boole, clarified that the holding of this meeting was not intended for the national peatland strategy but on the contrary to present the achievements and the perspectives of the thematic bog.

According to him, the objective was achieved in that the national vision on peatlands, the progress and prospects of the theme as well as the global initiative on peatlands were presented to the participants.

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