A Global Effort to Save the Congo Basin Forests
The future of our planet's climate is at stake, and a powerful alliance has answered the call! The Belém Call to Action for the Congo Basin Forests is a beacon of hope, uniting a diverse group of stakeholders in a shared mission to protect one of Earth's most vital ecosystems.
The Congo Basin's tropical peatlands are ancient and vast, playing a crucial role in mitigating global climate change. The Lac Tele Community Reserve in the Republic of the Congo, captured in the stunning photo by Thomas Nicolon/WCS, highlights the urgent need to safeguard these precious peatlands.
On November 20, 2025, in Belém, Brazil, a remarkable coalition came together. Central African nations, regional bodies, partner countries, development banks, private entities, and philanthropic organizations united to endorse the Belém Call to Action, presented during the CoP30 Thematic Days on forests.
But what does this call to action entail? It's a comprehensive plan focusing on sustainable resource management, developing eco-friendly value chains, securing funding, integrating scientific and traditional knowledge, and engaging civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities.
Central African countries are stepping up, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to creating an environment conducive to preserving these invaluable forests. And the support is substantial—donors and partners have pledged over $2.5 billion in the next five years, along with technical expertise, to realize the joint declaration's goals.
WCS, a leading conservation organization, is fully on board. Adam Falk, WCS President and CEO, emphasized their alignment with the Belém Call's objectives, stating, "WCS is dedicated to our ongoing partnership with Congo Basin nations, focusing on protecting the ecological integrity of this vital forest basin, its extraordinary biodiversity, and the communities relying on it." Falk further highlighted WCS's extensive work in the region, which includes landscape protection, community-driven conservation, scientific management, and innovative financing, all of which are in sync with the Belém Call's vision.
And here's where WCS's expertise comes into play: they provide the tools and support needed to turn this ambitious vision into reality. By generating scientific data, fortifying protected areas, and assisting governments and local communities, WCS ensures the Congo Basin's resilience, sustainability, and adequate funding.
The Belém Call to Action is more than just a statement; it's a catalyst for collective action. WCS applauds this diverse coalition's commitment to protecting the Congo Basin Forests, especially during UNFCCC CoP30, where nature, ecological integrity, and Indigenous leadership take center stage in the climate conversation.
But who exactly is part of this coalition? The list is impressive: the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBPF), the Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC), and its member countries, including Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, and various international entities like the European Commission, Belgium, Germany, France, Norway, the UK, the African Development Bank, the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), and several global funds and banks. The Bezos Earth Fund is also a notable philanthropic partner in this endeavor.
A controversial question remains: Will this global effort be enough to secure the future of the Congo Basin Forests? The world is watching, and the fate of these ancient peatlands hangs in the balance.
