The Democratic Republic of Congo has been called upon to play a leading role in operationalizing the Congo Basin Natural Capital Consortium. This follows a regional workshop held in Kinshasa from November 5-7, 2026, which brought together experts and stakeholders from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) member states. The workshop aimed to facilitate the membership process for the Consortium.
The workshop resulted in recommendations for the ECCAS to organize a ministerial conference to examine the political note produced during the Kinshasa workshop. The experts also suggested that member states commit to operationalizing the roadmap proposed by the workshop to materialize the engagement made since 2012. The Democratic Republic of Congo, with its vast forest cover of 170 million hectares, representing nearly 60% of the Congo Basin's forest cover, is well-positioned to lead this process.
The country's exceptional forest patrimony, biodiversity, and significant wood resources make it an ideal candidate to take the lead in operationalizing the Consortium. The workshop participants expressed their desire to see the Democratic Republic of Congo play a leadership role in this process, given its significant weight in the natural capital of the Congo Basin. The country's leadership is expected to promote sustainable development of its natural capital.
The workshop's closing ceremony was attended by Frédéric Djengo Bosulu, Director-General of the General Directorate of Forests, on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and New Climate Economy. He welcomed the choice of Kinshasa as the host city, citing its alignment with the vision of President Félix Tshisekedi to promote sustainable development of the country's natural capital.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has committed to taking the lead in operationalizing the Congo Basin Natural Capital Consortium. The country's representative expressed satisfaction with the workshop's outcomes, which included the validation of a political note and a roadmap for the Consortium's operationalization. The ECCAS Commission also welcomed the workshop's results, which align with its strategic plan and annual performance plan.
The Consortium's primary mission is to account for and valorize natural resources, contributing to a financing mechanism for sustainable development initiatives in the sub-region. The ECCAS Commission aims to unite African countries in adhering to the proposed Consortium, including institutions such as the ECCAS, COMIFAC, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
The Kinshasa workshop produced two key deliverables: a political note with key themes and a plan of action to be submitted to ECCAS authorities, and a post-Belem roadmap for the Consortium's operationalization. The workshop's objectives were to conduct an exhaustive review of the Consortium and validate its operational modalities with technical stakeholders.
Key points
- The Democratic Republic of Congo has been urged to take the lead in operationalizing the Congo Basin Natural Capital Consortium due to its significant forest cover.
- The Consortium aims to account for and valorize natural resources, contributing to a financing mechanism for sustainable development initiatives in the sub-region.
- The ECCAS Commission aims to unite African countries in adhering to the proposed Consortium.
