AGP Executive Report

Forestival Goes National: Congo’s forest-conservation festival moved beyond Brazzaville for the first time, opening in Pointe-Noire before continuing to Dolisie and returning to the capital. This year’s theme, “Living Forests, Engaged Youth,” brings conservation into streets and neighborhoods as well as forests. Oil and Environmental Oversight: France’s ambassador to Congo said her visit to Pointe-Noire included meeting French businesses and checking they respect Congolese law and environmental standards. She also pointed to research on oil activities’ effects at Djeno; no findings were provided. Congo Basin at COP31: Turkey says it is working with Congolese institutions to raise the Republic of Congo and Congo Basin’s profile at the climate summit. Meanwhile, a global biodiversity meeting ended with conservation funding for Africa still short, a concern highlighted by WWF’s regional director for the Congo Basin.

Oil and Environment: France’s ambassador says research is examining the environmental effects of oil operations at Djeno, near Pointe-Noire, and stressed that companies must follow Congolese environmental standards. No findings have been released. Conservation Funding: African countries left the biodiversity summit without closing a major funding gap, even as they pursue the goal of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030. WWF’s Congo Basin director says conservation and wildlife monitoring need more resources. Congo Basin at COP31: Turkey says it is working with Congolese institutions to raise the Congo Basin’s profile at the climate summit in Antalya, alongside efforts to expand trade ties.

Oil and Environment: France’s ambassador says research is examining the environmental impact of oil operations at Djeno, near Pointe-Noire. She also said French companies operating in the city must comply with Congolese law and environmental standards; no findings from the research were shared. Biodiversity Funding: African countries left the U.N. biodiversity summit facing a conservation funding shortfall, despite new global pledges. Nadège Nzoyem, WWF’s regional director for the Congo Basin, said funding is essential for wildlife monitoring and forest protection. Congo Basin at COP31: Turkey says it is working with Congolese institutions to strengthen the Republic of Congo and Congo Basin’s voice at the climate summit in Antalya. Turkey’s ambassador also projected bilateral trade could top $200 million this year, though that figure is an expectation, not a recorded result.

Rainforest Protection: A global rainforest partners conference in China, set for Nov. 18–22, will bring the Congo Basin into discussions on forest protection and sustainable development. Conservation Funding: African countries left the UN biodiversity summit with a major funding gap, despite new global pledges and the push to protect 30% of land and seas by 2030. The Green Climate Fund also approved a first direct sovereign loan linked to the Congo Basin forests. Wildlife: A rescued baby gorilla in Congo is beginning a new life after traffickers allegedly killed her family to capture her. Community Stewardship: A report on the Congo River corridor highlights villagers’ role in protecting the region’s forests.

Congo Basin at COP31: Turkey’s ambassador says Ankara is working with Congolese institutions to strengthen the country and the Congo Basin’s voice at the climate summit in Antalya. Bilateral trade could exceed $200 million this year, he said, though that figure is a projection. Forest and Biodiversity Summit: Brazzaville hosted the Three Basins Summit on Oct. 26–28, bringing leaders together to discuss forest and biodiversity protection, climate finance and plans to restore ecosystems. River Communities: A World Bank-backed project to improve navigation and safety on the Congo, Oubangui and Sangha rivers has begun outreach along the Oubangui, involving riverside communities, including fishers and transporters. Gorilla Rescue: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has been moved to a forest sanctuary in the Republic of Congo. Conservationists hope she may eventually return to the wild.

COP31 Voice: Turkey’s ambassador says Ankara is working with Congolese institutions to raise the Republic of Congo and Congo Basin’s profile at the climate summit in Antalya. Forest Protection: Brazzaville’s Three Basins summit brought leaders together to discuss biodiversity, tropical forests, restoration and ways to finance protection. Rivers and Communities: A World Bank-backed waterways project has begun consulting riverside communities along the Oubangui, ahead of work to improve navigation and safety on the Congo, Oubangui and Sangha rivers. Wildlife: Bili, a young gorilla rescued from traffickers, has been moved to a forest sanctuary in the Republic of Congo. Conservationists hope she can eventually return to the wild. Forest Finance: The Green Climate Fund approved a record $1.97 billion in new climate funding, including its first direct sovereign loan responding to a call to protect Congo Basin forests.

COP31 Diplomacy: Congo and Turkey are discussing ways to give the country and the Congo Basin a stronger voice at the UN climate summit in Antalya. Turkey’s ambassador also forecast bilateral trade above $200 million this year, though that figure is a projection. Forest Protection: A new UN climate-finance package includes the first direct sovereign loan linked to the Congo Basin forests, while the Tropical Forest Forever Facility remains well short of its fundraising goal. River Communities: A World Bank-backed effort to improve Congo River navigation and safety has begun with outreach to riverside communities along the Oubangui-Sangha corridor, including work on environmental and social safeguards. Wildlife: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has been moved to a forest sanctuary in Congo, where conservationists hope she may eventually return to the wild.

Three Basins Summit: Brazzaville hosted regional talks on forests and biodiversity, with Congo’s president urging a UN decade focused on the green economy and forest expansion. Marine Pollution: Satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park; researchers say they likely came from offshore platforms beyond the park’s boundary, threatening marine life and nesting turtles. Wildlife Protection: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has been moved to a forest sanctuary in the Republic of Congo after years of care, with conservationists hoping she may one day return to the wild. River Communities: A World Bank-backed effort to improve Congo River corridor transport has begun consulting riverside communities along the Oubangui-Sangha route, including on environmental and social safeguards.

Congo Basin at COP31: Turkey’s ambassador says Ankara is working with Congolese institutions to give the Republic of Congo and the Congo Basin a stronger voice at the climate summit, while bilateral trade is projected to exceed $200 million this year. Oil Pollution: A satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres in the waters of Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely drifting from offshore platforms. The park shelters marine mammals, sharks and nesting sea turtles. Forest Finance: The Green Climate Fund approved a record $1.97 billion in new climate finance, including its first direct sovereign loan responding to a call to protect Congo Basin forests. Wildlife Rescue: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has reached a forest sanctuary in the Republic of the Congo, where conservationists hope she can eventually return to the wild.

Climate Diplomacy: Turkey’s ambassador says Ankara is working with Congolese institutions to raise the Congo Basin’s profile at COP31, while projecting bilateral trade above $200 million this year. Three Basins Summit: Brazzaville hosted regional talks on biodiversity and tropical forests, including proposals for investment and cooperation to restore ecosystems. River Communities: A World Bank-backed waterway project is consulting riverside communities along the Oubangui-Sangha corridor as it plans safer navigation and transport improvements. Marine Pollution: A new analysis found 27 oil slicks, spanning 880 square kilometres, in the waters of Conkouati-Douli National Park; researchers link them to offshore platforms outside the protected area. Wildlife Rescue: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has been moved to a forest sanctuary in Congo, where conservationists hope she can eventually return to the wild.

Forest Summit: Brazzaville hosted the Three Basins Summit on biodiversity and tropical forests from Oct. 26–28, with delegates discussing conservation, climate action and financing. The meeting backed efforts to restore 350 million hectares of ecosystems. Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund reported record approvals of $3.3 billion in 2026, including its first direct sovereign loan responding to a call to protect Congo Basin forests. Marine Protection: A global analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park between 2022 and 2025. The slicks likely came from offshore platforms outside the park, threatening habitat for turtles, whales and other marine life. Protected Areas: A Cameroonian delegation visited Congo to study its co-management approach at Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. Wildlife Rescue: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has moved to a forest sanctuary in Congo, where conservationists hope she can eventually return to the wild.

Three Basins Summit: Brazzaville’s biodiversity and tropical forests summit put forest protection, financing and ecosystem restoration on the regional agenda. Marine Pollution: A new analysis recorded 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park; the slicks likely drifted from three offshore platforms. Wildlife Trafficking: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has arrived at a forest sanctuary in the Republic of Congo, where conservationists hope she can recover and eventually return to the wild. River Communities: Along the Oubangui-Sangha waterway, an awareness campaign is consulting riverside residents as work advances to improve navigation and safety. Protected Areas: A Cameroonian delegation is studying Congo’s co-management approach at Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, including its partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund approved a record $1.97 billion in new projects, including its first direct sovereign loan responding to calls to protect Congo Basin forests. Wildlife: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has arrived at a forest sanctuary in the Republic of Congo, where conservationists hope she can eventually return to the wild. River Communities: A World Bank-backed campaign along the Oubangui-Sangha waterways is consulting riverside residents as Congo works to improve navigation and safety. Oil Pollution: A new analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely drifting from offshore platforms. Protected Areas: A Cameroonian delegation is in Congo to study the co-management model at Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park.

Wildlife Rescue: Bili, a western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers as an infant, has been moved to a forest sanctuary in the Republic of the Congo. After years of recovery, conservationists hope she may eventually return to the wild. River Communities: A World Bank-backed effort to improve Congo River corridor navigation and safety has begun with outreach to riverside communities along the Oubangui-Sangha route. Marine Pollution: A global analysis recorded 27 oil slicks, covering 880 square kilometres, in the waters of Conkouati-Douli National Park. Researchers say the slicks likely drifted from offshore platforms outside the protected area, threatening habitat for marine mammals, sharks and nesting turtles. Forest Protection: At the Russia-Africa summit, President Denis Sassou Nguesso promoted a UN decade for the green economy and forest expansion; Vladimir Putin said Russia would support the initiative. Protected Areas: A Cameroonian delegation is studying Congo’s co-management approach at Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, including its partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Congo Basin Expedition: Adventurer Ash Dykes completed an 800-kilometre paddle down the Sangha River, from the Central African Republic to Mossaka, and was invited to meet Congo’s tourism minister in Brazzaville. Marine Pollution: A global satellite analysis recorded 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of the waters around Conkouati-Douli National Park. The slicks likely came from offshore platforms outside the protected area, threatening habitat for turtles, dolphins, whales and other marine life. Protected Areas: A Cameroonian delegation is visiting Brazzaville to study Congo’s co-management approach, including at Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park and its partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society. Biodiversity: Ahead of COP17, more than 80 conservation and civil society groups urged governments to keep mining and oil and gas operations out of protected areas, warning that conservation targets must be protected in practice, not just on paper.

Marine Pollution: Conkouati-Douli National Park’s waters recorded 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres from 2022 to 2025. The pollution likely drifted from three offshore platforms, threatening habitat for sea turtles, dolphins, whales and other marine life. Protected Areas: A Cameroonian delegation is in Brazzaville to study Congo’s co-management model, including work at Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park with the Wildlife Conservation Society. At COP17, more than 80 groups urged governments to keep oil, gas and mining out of protected areas. Climate Targets: Congo has set a goal of cutting emissions by 47.82% by 2035, while questions remain over how to finance the target.