Equatorial Guinea launches its REDD+ National Investment Plan
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea has achieved a new milestone in its political commitment to preserve its forests and fight climate change, while promoting a sustainable development model.
The Government of Equatorial Guinea, led by the Ministry of Taxes, Economy and Planning (MHEP) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forests and Environment (MAGBOMA), with the technical support of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the financial support of Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), has officially launched today its REDD+ National Investment Plan (PNI-REDD+), in the framework of the National Plan for Sustainable Development 2035.
In his opening speech, the vice Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forests and Environment, Francisco Engonga Osono highlighted the importance of the PNI-REDD: “Today, we are launching the REDD+ National Investment Plan. This is an important event for Equatorial Guinea, but also for the Congo Basin and for the World” –highlighted.
The REDD+ National Investment Plan of Equatorial Guinea (PNI-REDD+) (available in English and Spanish) is a planning tool that will support the mobilisation and coordination of REDD+ initiatives and funding, towards improved land and forest management and the reduction of land-use emissions. This Plan is contributing to the redirection of the national development model of the country towards a more sustainable path, in which economic development and conservation of natural resources are reconcilable objectives, even in a context of multiple challenges, including the COVID19 pandemic.
The PNI-REDD+ has been developed on the basis of several studies, including“Historical analysis of deforestation and forest degradation 2004-2014” (2019), ”Study on drivers of deforestation and forest degradation 2004-2014” (2019) and the“REDD+ National Strategy of Equatorial Guinea” (2019). The Plan is the result of a participatory planning process with more than 450 people, including representatives of the government, civil society, private sector, academic and research institutions and rural communities. All the stakeholders will be also called upon to support the future implementation of the plan.
Equatorial Guinea is at a unique and transformational point in time: the country is currently defining its new National Plan for Sustainable Development 2035 (PNDS 2035) under the title “We move forward together”. For the first time, environmental sustainability and territorial development is among its priority areas. There is strong symbiosis between the PNDS 2035 and the PNI-REDD+, which share a common vision for sustainability and land management, with a special attention given to active stakeholder participation as well as social and gender equity.
To achieve this vision, the PNI-REDD+ includes investments programmes at the national level that are linked to land-use planning, agriculture, forestry, mining, energy, construction and governance; as well as local investment programmes in Litoral province, Niefang municipality, KieNtem province, Bioko island and Annobon island.
“The country is moving towards a model of sustainable development. We now need to focus on creating without being destructive. The current transformational process towards sustainability is a clear expression of the country’s high commitment and political leadership, which also requires international support”- indicated Mariluz Eseng Osa, State Secretary of Planning and Territorial Development.
The FAO representative in Equatorial Guinea emphasized the importance of joining international and national efforts. “Environmental policies that support sustainable development are the best guarantee to build a resilience society that can face new pandemics. The solution lies in the hands of all of us: all sectors, all stakeholders, all countries and all citizens, with the support of the international community”.
While the finalization of the PNI-REDD+ can be a complex task, the timeliness and relevance of hands-on actions on the ground as well as the importance of the support of all sectors and stakeholders of the country is evident. To boost its technical expertise, Equatorial Guinea aims to continue collaborating with the international community in order to preserve the Congo Basin forest, the second largest tropical rainforest in the world.
Equatorial Guinea is committed to preserve its valuable forests that cover more than 90% of its territory. This green treasure has the potential to be one of the key elements in the country’s path towards sustainable and green development.
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