The Republic of Congo and the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) convened the third General Assembly of the Network of Indigenous and Local Communities for the Sustainable Management of Central African forest ecosystems (REPALEAC) the 14 to 16 January.
The General Assembly considered ways and means to improve the governance system of REPALEAC in order to enhance the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in actions towards the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in Central African forests.
25 January 2013: The Republic of Congo and the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) convened the third General Assembly of the Network of Indigenous and Local Communities for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (REPALEAC).
The General Assembly, which convened the 14-16 January, considered ways and means to improve the governance system of REPALEAC in order to enhance the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in actions toward the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the region’s forests.
The General Assembly also adopted the REPALEAC Strategic Action Plan 2013-2015 and road map, which suggests: enhanced coordination between regional and national networks; the publication of a regional calendar of events; continued support for the involvement of indigenous peoples in international negotiations on forests and forest governance; and enhanced fundraising.
The General Assembly also noted the lack of participation by indigenous women and inadequate funding as obstacles preventing full implementation of the road map. [Press Release: The third General Assembly of the “Network of Indigenous and Local Populations for the Sustainable Management of Central African forest ecosystems” Strengthening REPALEAC] [Publication: Communique Final – troisième Assemblée Générale du Réseau des Populations Autochtones et Locales pour la Gestion Durable des Ecosystèmes Forestiers d’Afrique Centrale]