FSC completes national dialogue on Intact Forest Landscapes in the Republic of Congo

IFLs are wide forest areas, largely untouched by human intervention that play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance and mitigating climate change. A 2017 World Resources Institute study revealed that 29% of global tree carbon is stored within these pristine ecosystems, underscoring their critical importance. Recognizing its high conservation values, the FSC, through Motion 65:2014, committed to protecting the majority of IFLs within its certified management units.

However, the challenges of implementing this commitment in a dynamic and complex landscape necessitated a reevaluation. Recognizing the need for a more adaptive approach, the FSC General Assembly in 2022 approved a shift towards landscape-level strategies tailored to local contexts. This involved strengthening Standard Development Groups (SDGs) to enhance IFL protection.

The Republic of Congo: first pilot of the IFL landscape approach

The northern part of the Republic of Congo, with its vast certified forest area, was chosen as the pilot site for this new approach. This national dialogue provided a crucial platform for stakeholders – government officials, forestry companies, civil society organizations, indigenous communities, and international experts – to engage in open and constructive dialogue on the best IFL landscape management and protection measures.

Patrick Epie, Congo Basin Coordinator for FSC, underscored the significance of this initiative, stating, "The Republic of Congo has been chosen for this activity because it is the country within the Congo Basin that has the largest certified forest area—over 3.1 million hectares. Additionally, there are companies in northern Congo whose forestry management units overlap with the IFL."

The dialogue aimed to explore innovative solutions, tools, and approaches to strengthen IFL protection within the context of the Congo Basin. BITA Alain Charles, Head of Forest Management at the Ministry of Forest Economy of the Republic of Congo, urged fellow Congo Basin countries to embrace FSC certification to bolster regional IFL protection. He also emphasized the importance of engaging Asian partners in FSC certification to enhance IFL protection in the southern part of the country.

Ghislain Indépendant Victor, an indigenous person and member of the Consultative forum of the FSC Standards Development Group (SDG) in Congo, said it was important to have indigenous voices in these crucial discussions. "As an indigenous person, it is crucial for us to be represented in these discussions and processes so that we can contribute our perspectives," he said.

Belmond Tchoumba, who joined the workshop as a technical expert for FSC, said the national dialogue challenged participants to dig deep to find common ground among themselves, even as they often had conflicting interests. "It is crucial to find common ground to build something sustainable. We have discussed the forest landscape in Congo, which identified as part of this project . There is a genuine interest in protecting biodiversity, but we also have development actors, local communities, and members of the private sector with their own development goals. It is important to balance conservation and development," he stated.

Leila Syntiche Wolo, Representative of the Southern Environment Chamber of the Focal Forest Advisory Group (FFAG) on IFLs, expressed her appreciation for the diverse perspectives and active engagement of all stakeholders. "This workshop has been a valuable opportunity for me to exchange with experts and various field actors on the challenges and threats to the protection of forest landscapes in the Congo Basin. I was particularly impressed by the wealth of knowledge and the diversity of perspectives. During this dialogue, I was also deeply impressed by the active involvement of the various stakeholders present, especially the local and Indigenous communities."

The dialogue in the Republic of Congo represents a significant step forward in the FSC's efforts to strengthen IFL protection globally. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders and embracing a landscape-level approach, the FSC aims to ensure the long-term conservation of these vital ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations.