AGP Executive Report

Wildlife: Monitored wildlife populations in Africa fell by an average of 80% from 1970 to 2022, according to the Living Planet Report 2026. Habitat destruction and degradation are major pressures; the figure tracks population sizes, not the continent’s total number of animals. Protected Areas: More than 80 conservation and civil society groups are urging governments at COP17 to keep mining and oil and gas projects out of protected areas. WWF Congo Basin director Nadège Nzoyem warned that conservation targets mean little if key habitats remain exposed to extraction. Climate Targets: The Republic of Congo aims to cut emissions by 20.44% by 2030 and 47.82% by 2035. Its plan includes nearly 200 actions, but carrying them out is estimated to cost $8.88 billion over 2026–2035.

Nutrition and Resilience: Congo renewed its partnership with the World Food Programme on Oct. 23, focusing on malnutrition treatment, nutrition monitoring, epidemic response and stronger health services. Climate Targets: The country aims to cut emissions 20.44% by 2030 and 47.82% by 2035. Its plan spans clean energy, resilient agriculture and sustainable forest and peatland management, but is estimated to cost $8.88 billion. Biodiversity Protection: Ahead of COP17, conservation groups urged governments to keep mining and oil and gas operations out of protected areas, warning that extraction could undermine global conservation goals.

Climate Commitments: Congo’s new climate plan targets emissions cuts of 20.44% by 2030 and 47.82% by 2035. The 2026–2035 programme is estimated to cost $8.88 billion, with nearly 200 proposed actions spanning forests, clean energy and resilient agriculture. Protected Areas: Ahead of the COP17 biodiversity summit, more than 80 groups urged governments to keep mining and oil and gas projects out of protected areas. They warn that conservation targets will mean little if industrial activity is allowed inside them. Forest Loss: A new assessment says deforestation in the Congo Basin continues despite a global decline in forest loss, leaving the world far off track for ending deforestation by 2030.

Protected Areas: More than 80 conservation and civil society groups are urging governments at COP17 to keep mining and oil and gas projects out of protected areas. A global review found extensive overlap between protected lands and extractive concessions; Congo Basin advocates say conservation must be real, not just a target on paper. Climate Targets: The Republic of Congo’s plan aims to cut emissions 20.44% by 2030 and 47.82% by 2035, but its nearly $8.9 billion price tag raises questions about funding forests, resilient agriculture and clean energy. Forest Loss: Global deforestation eased in 2025, yet the Congo Basin continued losing trees, leaving the world far off track for ending deforestation by 2030. Freshwater: Freshwater fish scarcity in the Republic of Congo is driving interest in aquaculture, as pressure on fish stocks makes alternative supplies increasingly important.

Biodiversity Protection: Ahead of COP17, more than 80 groups urged governments to keep mining and oil and gas projects out of protected areas. WWF’s Congo Basin director warned that conservation targets mean little if protected lands remain exposed to industry. Climate Targets: The Republic of Congo’s new climate plan targets emissions cuts of 20.44% by 2030 and 47.82% by 2035. Its nearly 200 proposed actions are estimated to cost $8.88 billion through 2035, a major funding challenge. Forest Loss: Global deforestation fell in 2025, but the Congo Basin remains off track for the 2030 goal to halt forest loss, according to a new assessment. Fisheries: Freshwater fish scarcity in the Republic of Congo is driving interest in aquaculture, as pressure on fish stocks threatens food supplies and livelihoods.

Climate Commitments: The Republic of Congo’s new climate plan targets emissions cuts of 20.44% by 2030 and 47.82% by 2035. Delivering nearly 200 proposed actions will cost an estimated $8.88 billion, while forests receive just 3% of global climate funding. Nature Finance: African leaders are pressing for more biodiversity funding at COP17, as conservation needs compete with economic demands. Forest Loss: Global deforestation eased in 2025, but the Congo Basin remains off track for the 2030 goal to halt forest loss. Fisheries: Freshwater fish scarcity in the Republic of Congo is driving interest in aquaculture, highlighting pressure on aquatic food supplies.

Climate Targets: The Republic of Congo aims to cut emissions 20.44% by 2030 and 47.82% by 2035. Its 2026–35 plan carries an $8.88 billion price tag, raising the question of how the country will fund nearly 200 proposed actions. Forest Protection: A new assessment says Congo Basin deforestation remains high, despite a global decline in forest loss. The report warns the world is still far off track for ending deforestation by 2030. Biodiversity Finance: African leaders are pressing for more funding at the COP17 biodiversity summit. Forests receive just 3% of global climate finance, leaving conservation and community resilience underfunded. Freshwater: Freshwater fish scarcity in the Republic of Congo is driving interest in aquaculture, as pressure grows on food supplies and aquatic ecosystems.

Climate Targets: The Republic of Congo’s climate plan aims to cut emissions 20.44% by 2030 and 47.82% by 2035. The 2026–35 program includes nearly 200 actions and carries an estimated $8.88 billion price tag, while forests receive only a small share of global climate funding. Forest Loss: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but the Congo Basin continued to lose trees, leaving the world far off track for its 2030 goal. Freshwater Fisheries: Pollution, declining fish stocks and high production costs are making freshwater fish scarce and costly in Congo; fish farming is emerging as one response to demand.

Congo Basin Expedition: Welsh explorer Ash Dykes and his crew are safe after more than 16 hours without contact on the Sangha River. A Starlink outage and dead power bank cut off their usual updates; they managed to send brief messages by Garmin. Circular Economy: Across Africa, people repair and resell appliances, reuse clothing and turn crop waste into useful materials. Researchers say policymakers can help these everyday practices grow into broader waste-reduction efforts. Forest Loss: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but tree loss continued at pace in the Congo Basin. The world remains far off track for its 2030 forest goals, according to a new assessment. Fish and Farming: In the Republic of Congo, pollution, overfishing and high production costs are worsening fish scarcity. Land-based fish farming could help meet demand, but feed makes up about 75% of production costs.

Congo Basin Expedition: Welsh explorer Ash Dykes and two teammates are safe after more than 16 hours without contact during their Sangha River kayak trip. The team said satellite internet and a power bank were down, limiting updates. Forest Loss: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but tree loss continued at pace in the Congo Basin, leaving the world far off track for its 2030 target. Fish Stocks: Freshwater fish is increasingly scarce and costly in the Republic of Congo, where pollution and overfishing are adding pressure. Land-based fish farms offer one alternative, but feed makes up about 75% of production costs. Wildlife Rescue: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has reached the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga reserve in Congo after three years of care in Nigeria. She must complete quarantine before joining another young gorilla.

Congo Basin Forests: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but tree loss continued at pace in the Congo Basin. The world remains 70% off track to end deforestation by 2030. Wildlife Under Pressure: WWF reports an average 80% decline in monitored vertebrate populations across Africa since 1970—a measure of population sizes, not total animals or species. Fish and Food: Pollution and overfishing are worsening freshwater fish shortages in Pointe-Noire. Local fish farms offer an alternative, but costly feed remains a major obstacle. Gorilla Rescue: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has arrived at Tchimpounga Nature Reserve after rehabilitation in Nigeria. She must complete quarantine before meeting another rescued gorilla.

Forests: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but the world remains far off track to halt forest loss by 2030. The Congo Basin lost about 2.4 million hectares, with action to curb the loss still lacking. Wildlife: Monitored vertebrate populations in Africa declined by an average 80% from 1970 to 2022, WWF reports. A rescued baby western lowland gorilla, Bili, has arrived at Tchimpounga Nature Reserve after three years of rehabilitation in Nigeria; she must complete quarantine before meeting another young gorilla. Fish and Rivers: Pollution, overfishing and high production costs are making freshwater fish scarce and unaffordable for many Congolese households. Land-based fish farms offer one way to boost supply, but feed accounts for about 75% of production costs.

Power Supply: Congo’s energy minister and the French Development Agency reviewed work on the Moukoukoulou–Mindouli power line and plans to strengthen electricity networks in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. Wildlife and Climate: A new review says restoring large animals may help ecosystems store and move carbon, but warns that climate benefits remain uncertain. Food and Water: In Pointe-Noire, pollution, overfishing and high costs are worsening freshwater fish shortages. Urban fish farmers are turning to tanks and ponds, but costly feed remains a major hurdle. Development Planning: Congo’s 2027–2031 development strategy has been validated, with energy, digital and ecological transitions among its five priorities. Gorilla Rescue: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has arrived at Tchimpounga Nature Reserve after rehabilitation in Nigeria; she must complete quarantine before meeting another young gorilla. Congo Basin Forests: A global assessment says forest loss slowed worldwide in 2025, but reached 2.4 million hectares in the Congo Basin. Separately, conservation funding is falling short of international biodiversity targets.

Aquaculture: Fish shortages and pollution affecting rivers in Pointe-Noire are driving interest in tank-based fish farming. Producers say high feed costs remain a major obstacle, while local feed production could help expand supply. Wildlife: New images from Odzala-Kokoua National Park spotlight western lowland gorillas and forest elephants, including species at risk of extinction. Gorilla Rescue: Bili, a young gorilla rescued from traffickers, has arrived at Tchimpounga Nature Reserve after three years of rehabilitation in Nigeria; she must complete quarantine before meeting another rescued gorilla. Forest Loss: A global assessment says Congo Basin forest loss reached about 2.4 million hectares in 2025, rising even as worldwide losses fell. Marine Pollution: Satellite monitoring recorded 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres in the waters of Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely from offshore platforms outside the protected area.

Wildlife Rescue: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers in Nigeria, has arrived at the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga sanctuary in the Republic of Congo after three years of rehabilitation. She must complete quarantine before meeting another rescued gorilla. Forest Loss: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but the Congo Basin lost about 2.4 million hectares—nearly matching tropical Latin America’s losses. Agriculture, logging and mining remain major pressures. Marine Protection: A satellite analysis recorded 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely drifting from offshore platforms. The protected area is home to whales, dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life. Green Enterprise: The EU has opened a competition for young people in Congo, with support for projects in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and environmental management.

Wildlife Rescue: Bili, a young western lowland gorilla rescued from traffickers, has arrived at the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga Nature Reserve after three years of rehabilitation in Nigeria. She must complete quarantine before meeting another rescued gorilla. Forest Loss: Global deforestation fell in 2025, but the Congo Basin lost about 2.4 million hectares, with agriculture, logging and mining among the pressures. Marine Protection: Satellite monitoring found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely drifting from offshore platforms. Nature Funding: Countries are falling short on biodiversity finance ahead of the UN summit, while fewer than half of global nature targets are on track. Green Enterprise: The EU has opened a competition for Congolese young people developing projects in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and environmental management.