06
Aug 2008 - Congo Basin Rainforest; biodiversity
hotspot - This forest is for WWF one of
the most important places on earth. It is
at the cutting edge of conservation for
the organisation. Here we are trying to
conserve forest on a very large scale, working
at the highest levels with heads of states
and with foreign governments and at the
same time working with local communities
to try and find solutions which can sustain
conservation in the long term. It is a flagship
programme for our organisation. So it is
important for me to have time to see what
is being done and to share with some of
our most important partners.
This is a place with
stunning resources; the only place where
you can see lowland gorillas and forest
elephants. But more broadly a real spectacular
forest from a biodiversity perspective.
It is a place for people who want to be
part of finding solutions, who want to be
part of conservation and a place of great
challenges. This is a hard place to find
good solutions. We have seen very exciting
work from some of our colleagues in Central
Africa Republic and here in Cameroon. We
have seen some of what they are up against
and the challenges they face. It has been
for me a very inspiring trip.
WWF and FSC Certification
I think FSC Certification
is one of the most important strategies
we have developed over the last 15 years
because, absolutely, we have to find ways
to conserve the forest and at the same time
meet the economic and social needs of surrounding
communities. And certified forestry is a
proven strategy for doing that. It is very
exciting to see that strategy work here
in Central Africa. In this specific case
we were able to talk with the management
and see sustainable forest management in
operation. For me it was a great visit.
Nature and People
I think there is a deep
understanding within this organisation that
conservation can only be successful if it
works for people in particular, who live
in the areas we are trying to protect, that
we are broadly working for society. We have
recognised that for a very long time and
the strategy that you now see developing
in the Congo Basin, for the Amazon, for
the Coral Triangle and so on really are
focused on finding lasting solutions and
lasting solutions means solutions that work
for the people. That is actually what we
are trying to do.
We all agree somehow that this forest needs
to be conserved. But our experience is also
clear that if we are going to conserve this
forest we have to find a way to allow some
sustainable use to meet the economic needs
and aspirations of the people who live here.
For us it is clear that FSC certified logging
really has that promise. It is an important
part, alongside protected areas, for long
term conservation of this great place.
WWF and the German Development
Bank (KfW)
KfW is one of our most
important partners. There is an extraordinary
commitment from KfW. The resources they
are ready to commit offers great potentials
for us to forge solutions here in the Congo
Basin, in the Amazon and other parts of
the world. So they are for us a great partner.
Biodiversity conservation;
a passion
This has been my passion
as long as I could remember since when I
was a kid. It all started with a love for
nature. But in the last three decades I
got to understand that these are challenges
that are fundamental to the existence of
humanity. Apart from the passion in the
end I think this is a very important cause
for humanity. There could be no better priority
than that.
WWF Jengi, a great team!
I have been focused
on the Congo Basin for a very long time.
I was here for the first time almost 10
years ago but much longer than this. This
is a region that I have been particularly
fascinated by and passionate of. To me it
is an incredible privilege to spend time
with this team, to be here in the field
getting a sense of the great work they have
been doing under very challenging circumstances.
This is a place where we are trying to protect
elephants and gorillas but more broadly
trying to conserve the forest which is laudable
in terms of human needs. We see great creativity
in this team in finding ways to engage local
communities, engage big actors like logging
companies and governments to forge solutions
and that is what this is all about. For
the Jengi and Cameroonian team I am very
proud to be associated with this group of
people and I look forward to great things
from them in many years to come.
