The one-day meeting was attended by more than 35 members from 5 countries, Ivory Coast and Senegal from Western Africa, Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo from Congo Basin. FSC Africa currently has 132 Members, 82 are coming from French-speaking countries, with 73 living in the Congo Basin.

The main aim of the members meeting was to provide a feedback on the main outcomes of the 8th FSC General Assembly, such as Motion 34 / 2017 on Intact Forest Landscapes which is particularly relevant to this region (see above story for more on this) and to shape a common ambition for 2020 in Congo Basin.

The meeting also looked at the progress of the last two years in the Congo Basin and what is expected to be done the next two years. The members voiced their ideas to the FSC Secretariat on their hopes for 2020, and the goals to be reached. FSC presented briefly on the new representatives to support member liaison in Cameroon and Gabon that they expect to be appointed soon, and their mandates were discussed.

Mr. Tsanga Ada Athanase Didier a member of Social Chamber for over 10 years said the meeting was very important, because it provided an opportunity to meet new members and to interact about important issues including network expansion, maintenance and growth of FSC certification in Congo Basin countries.

“It was good to hear the feedback on the Vancouver General Assembly and then start designing strategies about the next General Assembly and look at the current gaps that exist in how we engage effectively especially with the French speaking members who want to be involved in all the conversation that are taking place including Control Wood and many more” he concluded.