22 January 2014
Congo Basin Countries Consider Trans-boundary Biosphere Reserve
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The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) has reported on the review of the feasibility of establishing a UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world biosphere reserve in Gabon, Cameroon and the Congo.

cbfp17 January 2014: The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) has reported on the review of the feasibility of establishing a UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world biosphere reserve in Gabon, Cameroon and the Congo.

The biosphere reserve process in the area, TRIDOM, is the result of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement that was signed between the three countries in 2005. The feasibility study identifies the area to be covered by TRIDOM, including three existing biosphere reserves: Dja (Cameroon), Odzala Kokoua (Congo), and Ipassa-Makokou (Gabon). The study also highlights threats to forests in the proposed area such as agricultural expansion, mining, infrastructure development, a lack of capacity and financial resources, and weak institutional structures.

A workshop on the establishment of TRIDOM, which convened from 12-13 December 2013, identified a number of next steps, among which are the development of a criteria checklist, enhanced awareness raising on biosphere reserves and trans-boundary protected areas, and enhanced stakeholder engagement, including with local communities and the private sector. [CBFP Press Release] [Etude de Faisabilité RBT TRIDOM]

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