60. The item was introduced by Mr. El Hadji Sène, Director, Forest Resources Division of the FAO Forestry Department. Congo Basin forests are the second largest consecutive forest block of the world. They represent a huge reserve of biological diversity and a considerable economic asset. They are essential to the livelihoods of millions of relatively poor people. They represent great challenges for their management and, in particular, for the conservation of their biological diversity. A number of initiatives have marked the last six years involving national governments in the region but also many partners. The launch of the Conference of the Central African Moist Forest Ecosystems (CEFDHAC), the Yaoundé Summit on Congo Basin forests and the ensuing launch of the Conférence des Ministres chargés des forêts de l’Afrique centrale (COMIFAC), as well as the Congo Basin Forests Partnership are among the most prominent of these initiatives.
61. FAO, in a view to providing more efficient and appropriate support to the efforts of interested countries, embarked in a reflection on, and formulation of, a specific strategic platform to steer and strengthen its own contribution to the management, conservation and development of the forests of the Congo Basin. This platform is inspired by FAO’s vision of a Congo Basin where populations live and prosper in peace and where the huge forest block of Central Africa will remain a permanent ecologically balanced and functional natural resource, conserving its full vitality, and serving national economies, societies and communities of the sub-region. It is based on the comparative advantages of the Organization. It will be guided by and should only respond to country requests and needs. The process has identified four strategic orientations including: (i) better management and utilisation techniques; (ii) regional information system on resources; (iii) stronger approaches and actors for resource utilisation; and (iv) institutional support and legal framework.
62. Participants commended FAO for the initiative. This was a welcome response to the needs of nations in the sub-region and corresponded to what countries would expect from FAO. The meeting endorsed the approach and encouraged FAO to continue in cooperation and partnership with other players in the sub-region.