Kinshasa, 4 November 2025 – The second edition of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Conference of the Congo Basin concluded on 31 October in Kinshasa on a note of unity and commitment, with the solemn adoption of the Kinshasa Declaration.

This landmark document paves the way for just, inclusive, and transparent climate governance for the future of the Congo Basin.

The event brought together over 30 representatives from civil society organisations, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, traditional authorities, experts, and public institutions from five Congo Basin countries (DRC, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, and Central African Republic).
Together, participants strengthened regional cooperation and voiced a unified call ahead of COP30, to be held in Belém, Brazil.

A collective call for genuine climate justice

Held under the theme “From Dialogue to Action: Building a United Regional Front for the Climate, Forests, and Peoples of the Congo Basin,” this edition gave renewed momentum to the efforts initiated during the 2024 Yaoundé Conference.

Participants raised an alarming assessment: rampant deforestation, persistent inequalities in access to climate finance, marginalization of Indigenous Peoples, and the proliferation of extractive models that threaten ecosystems and livelihoods.

In response, the Kinshasa Declaration calls on governments, donors, and international institutions to:

  • End deforestation and unsustainable extractive practices;
  • Promote rights-based conservation centered on Indigenous Peoples and local communities;
  • Ensure equitable sharing of benefits derived from natural resources;
  • Guarantee direct, transparent, and fair access to climate finance;
  • Urge Global North countries to recognize and honor their climate debt through sufficient and unconditional financial support.

A decisive turning point ahead of COP30

Adopted just weeks before COP30, the Kinshasa Declaration stands as a shared roadmap through 2030. It reflects the determination of Congo Basin stakeholders to transform the region into a hub of action, leadership, and climate solutions on the global stage.

As a key partner and facilitator of the conference, Greenpeace Africa hailed the historic significance of the declaration.

“This declaration embodies the determination of the Congo Basin to stand as a force for action and influence in global climate governance. Indigenous Peoples and local communities are the true guardians of these forests and must be recognized as such,”
 said Bonaventure Bondo, Forest Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa.

He added:

“As COP30 approaches, the world must hear the voice of the Congo Basin. This is not just a region of climate suffering—it is a region of hope, justice, and sustainable solutions.”

Greenpeace Africa reaffirms its commitment

By endorsing the Kinshasa Declaration, Greenpeace Africa and its partners reaffirm their commitment to supporting CSOs, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities in their advocacy for effective climate justice and inclusive environmental governance.

The organisation calls on national and international policymakers to integrate the Declaration’s recommendations into public policies and legal frameworks related to natural resource management.The goal: to ensure a just and equitable ecological transition, serving both people and the planet.

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Contact:

Raphael Mavambu, Communication and Media, [email protected], +243810679437