A new declaration in Central Africa will institutionalize scientific data within legislative processes, budget voting, and government action oversight, marking a significant step towards more evidence-based governance. The measure also aims to establish a regional mechanism to help prepare bankable projects and accredit national and regional institutions, fostering greater capacity within the sub-region. Central African states are expected to harmonize legislation on climate and carbon across the sub-region, creating a more unified and effective regulatory framework. Participants welcomed the launch of the 'State of Central African Forests 2025' publication, calling for strong mobilization for the 2027 edition. These key initiatives aim to protect the Congo Basin, which is presented as the planet's primary green lung, noting its indispensable role in global ecological balance.
Integrating Science and Data
A parliamentary dashboard focused on climate, forests, and biodiversity will be established, instituting annual researcher hearings before the examination of finance laws. This innovative approach ensures that scientific expertise directly informs legislative decisions and budgetary allocations. Scientific data is intended to guide the strategic choices made by Central African governments and international donors, aiming to preserve the region's vital ecosystem. This integration of science into policy-making is critical for sustainable development. There is an urgent need to align land-use planning, resource extraction, and economic development decisions with factual scientific data, ensuring that progress does not come at the expense of environmental integrity. Intersectoral coordination is identified as a strategic imperative to prevent irreversible degradation resulting from pressures such as agricultural expansion, mining projects, and urbanization. This coordination is essential for managing complex environmental challenges effectively. The declaration also calls for strengthened transparency, strict application of forest regulations, and effective support for the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples, recognizing their key role in conservation efforts. These measures are designed to ensure accountability and equity in environmental governance.
Mobilizing Climate Finance
Support is pledged for the creation of the Congo Basin Forest Finance Facility (CBFFF), designed to fund COMIFAC's 2026-2035 Convergence Plan and national climate policies. This facility is envisioned as a cornerstone for sustainable financing in the region. Governments are required to submit an annual report detailing mobilized climate finance and its effective use, aiming to foster greater transparency and accountability in financial flows. This reporting mechanism is vital for tracking progress and ensuring funds are deployed efficiently. International climate finance flows to the Congo Basin region are significantly lower than actual needs, and disproportionate when compared to other major forest basins, showing a critical funding gap. There is an urgent need for sustainable and transparent financing mechanisms, including integrity carbon markets, to fairly remunerate the services provided by these forests. Parliamentarians appealed to donors, development banks, and multilateral institutions, requesting relaxed procedures and increased concessional financing to facilitate access to much-needed funds. They also called for the alignment of international support with Central Africa's strategic priorities, ensuring that external aid genuinely serves the region's long-term environmental and developmental goals.
Strengthening Governance and Cooperation
A structured partnership will be established between the Network of Parliamentarians on Sustainable Management of Central African Forest Ecosystems (REPAR), the Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC), and the Central African Forest Observatory (OFAC). This collaboration will be based on focal points and the regular transmission of analyses to parliamentary commissions, aiming to integrate scientific insights into governance at every level. The Yaoundé Declaration also stresses the importance of including local communities and indigenous peoples in environmental initiatives. This inclusion seeks to guarantee equitable and transparent benefit-sharing from carbon credits and ecosystem services generated within the region, ensuring that those who live closest to the forests also benefit from their protection. A global interparliamentary alliance will be formed, linking the three major tropical forest basins: the Congo, Amazon, and Southeast Asia. This alliance aims to develop common positions for these regions in international negotiations, amplifying their collective voice on global environmental issues. REPAR is tasked with rigorously monitoring the implementation of this strategic roadmap, working closely with COMIFAC and OFAC to ensure accountability and drive progress towards the declaration's ambitious goals.