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By the Editorial Team
The Democratic Republic of the Congo took part on Friday, November 6, 2026, in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, in the official launch of the United Nations Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation. President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo represented his country at the international ceremony, held on the sidelines of the 40th edition of National Tree Day, alongside several other African leaders.
The high-level meeting brought together, among others, the President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso; Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye; and the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra. The DRC’s participation forms part of regional and international efforts to strengthen afforestation, reforestation and forest ecosystem conservation in response to environmental challenges.
During a press conference held at the Kintélé International Conference Centre, the Congolese Head of State outlined the challenges facing his country in combating deforestation. He identified shifting slash-and-burn agriculture as one of the main causes of forest cover loss in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where this practice places considerable pressure on natural resources.
In response to this situation, Félix Tshisekedi advocated for the promotion of settled agriculture and the development of sustainable agroforestry. He also stressed the need to improve access to electricity in order to reduce households’ dependence on wood fuel, while encouraging reforestation initiatives. These proposals formed a central part of the Congolese president’s contribution to the discussions.
The official ceremony subsequently took place in the Maloukou Economic Zone, located 45 kilometres from Brazzaville city centre. Heads of State and participating delegations took part in a symbolic tree-planting exercise, demonstrating their commitment to the international initiative aimed at restoring and protecting forest resources.
Speaking on the occasion, President Denis Sassou Nguesso welcomed the commitment shown by the various countries involved in this initiative. “Brazzaville is the starting point for a global movement in favour of forest protection, from which future generations will benefit,” he said, underscoring the international significance of the environmental undertaking.
According to information published by the Presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and reviewed by the editorial team of naturelcd.net, the ceremony marks the implementation of an initiative championed by the Republic of the Congo at the United Nations. On April 16, 2025, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing the Decade at the initiative of the Republic of the Congo. Through its participation in the launch, the DRC joined an international effort that places forest restoration and cooperation among nations at the heart of environmental priorities.
