A two-day dialogue on forest governance and transparency commenced in Kinshasa on November 3, 2026. The event, initiated by the Environews-RDC group with support from the Pulitzer Center, aims to enhance transparency in the management of the Congo Basin's forest resources. The dialogue seeks to promote a more responsible and inclusive governance approach through experience sharing, stakeholder engagement, and the development of a common roadmap.
The Congo Basin, home to the second-largest tropical forest massif globally, plays a vital role in regulating the global climate, preserving biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of over 60 million people. However, it faces unprecedented pressures, according to Alfredo Prince Ntumba, president of Environews-RDC. He emphasized that equitable, responsible, and sustainable forest governance cannot be achieved behind closed doors, stressing the need for transparency, accountability, and ongoing dialogue among stakeholders.
The workshop aims to reduce fragmentation among media, institutions, and civil society organizations. Prince Alfred Ntumba urged decision-makers and stakeholders to better appreciate the role of journalism, encouraging them to view investigative reports as tools for informed decision-making, civic education, and catalysts for change. He also called for more effective collaboration between journalists, institutions, and civil society to promote responsible forest governance.
Afi Malungu, representative of the Pulitzer Center, highlighted the importance of stakeholder consultation in building responsible forest governance. She emphasized that such governance requires open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and consideration of local communities' participation. Malungu noted that forest governance issues extend beyond environmental concerns, impacting livelihoods, community rights, land use, and development choices.
The two-day dialogue seeks to analyze the role of media in promoting forest transparency through investigative reporting and awareness-raising initiatives on community rights and governance challenges in the Congo Basin. Participants will also examine the stance of public institutions on public debate, particularly regarding the consequences of extractive activities, forestry, and land grabbing on local ecosystems and populations.
One of the expected outcomes is the development of a draft guide for collaboration among stakeholders. This document aims to serve as a reference for promoting open and critical discussions on forest governance in the public sphere. By fostering better coordination between journalism, institutional action, and civil society initiatives, Environews-RDC and the Pulitzer Center aim to support the sustainable management of Congo Basin forests, a critical issue for climate, biodiversity, and dependent communities.
The event brings together various stakeholders to address pressing challenges in forest governance. By engaging journalists, public institutions, civil society, and the private sector, the dialogue aims to promote a culture of transparency and accountability in managing the Congo Basin's forest resources. The workshop's outcomes are expected to contribute to more effective collaboration and informed decision-making, ultimately supporting the long-term sustainability of the region's forests and the well-being of local communities.
Key points
- The dialogue aims to develop a common roadmap for more responsible and inclusive forest governance in the Congo Basin.
- The event seeks to promote transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement in managing the region's forest resources.
- The workshop expects to produce a draft guide for collaboration among stakeholders to encourage open discussions on forest governance.
