7 April 2014: The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) announced that the Government of Burundi has taken up the presidency of the CBFP and the Commission des Forêts d’ Afrique Centrale (COMIFAC).

The rotation in presidency was marked by a meeting of the CBFP Facilitator, Matthew Cassetta of the US, and His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi. Topics discussed during the visit included sustainable forest management (SFM), biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and other challenges and opportunities facing COMIFAC. The visit from the US facilitator also included meetings with Burundian ministers, site visits to the Kibira National Forest as well as consultations with civil society and representatives from CBFP partners in Burundi. [CBFP Press Release]