The inauguration takes place as the legality review of 156
logging titles in the DRC nears its end and on the eve of critical
climate talks in Posnan, Poland, where forest protection is
expected to be a central focus.
Greenpeace demands complete transparency from the Congolese
government as it completes the legal review of 156 logging titles.
The first phase of this process resulted in the validation of 46
forest titles covering approximately 7 million hectares of forest.
Eighty-one of the logging companies whose titles were rejected in
the first phase have submitted appeals to the interministerial
commission in charge of the process. Greenpeace expects the
government to respect the criteria laid out in the 2005
presidential decree regarding the review of these titles.
"The Congolese government must not give into pressure from the
logging industry, which is currently doing all it can to highjack
the legality process. Clearly what the industry wants is to keep
control of some 10 million additional hectares of illegally
acquired forest," said René Ngongo, a policy advisor with
Greenpeace Africa.
Ngongo went on to say that "those who exploit the forests are
expecting the legality review to approve the greatest number of
logging concessions possible. They are using the international
financial crisis - which has had an impact on the logging industry
just as it has on most every other industry - as a pretext for
getting around the objective legal criteria already established by
the government."
Over 60% of DRC's population depends directly or indirectly on
the country's forests for subsistence. It is the duty of the
government to protect the forests and not give into a political
deal favouring an industry that is today directly responsible for
the pillage and degradation of the Congo forests. Greenpeace also
believes that it is essential the forests be kept intact so that
the Congolese people may benefit from international funds currently
being established to protect tropical forests. That way Congolese
can earn money by preventing the destruction of their forests.
The next United Nations climate talks are set to take place in
Posnan, Poland from December 1 - 12. One of the negotiator's
principal goals will be the creation of a mechanism to finance the
fight against greenhouse gas emissions caused by the deforestation
and degradation of tropical forests. Greenpeace's 'Forests for
Climate' financing mechanism is designed to protect the rights of
forest populations, while also protecting biodiversity and fighting
climate change.
"Let us take advantage of this unique opportunity to mobilise
international financial institutions so that their objective
becomes putting an end to the destruction of tropical forests",
declared Amadou Kanoute, Executive Director Greenpeace Africa.
"Given the situation, it is essential that the DRC government
sends this strong message to the international community: all
forest titles acquired illegally must be annulled so that the
people of the DRC may fully benefit from an internationally agreed
mechanism for the financing of forest protection. "
At today's launch Amadou Kanoute briefly talked about why
Greenpeace has decided to go ahead with the opening of its office
in DRC at a time when very serious conflict continues in the
eastern part of the country. "Greenpeace has been working in the
DRC for several years and we have seen first hand the terrible
tragedy. We feel strongly that it must stop. However, 40 million
people depend on the Congo's forests for their livelihood and we
must continue to protect those livelihoods. Given the current
climate crisis it is also essential that the international
community agrees on a forests-for-climate mechanism."
Other contacts: Dietlind Lerner, Communications Manager Greenpeace International:+243 (0) 998220963 / +31 (0) 646 162 026 Amadou Kanoute, Executive Director Greenpeace Africa:+243 (0) 998 220 968 / +27 (0) 71 688 1270 Réne Ngongo, Forest Campaigner Greenpeace Africa: +243 (0) 998 334500
VVPR info: For photo desk contact John Novis: +44 (0) 7801 615 889For video desk contact Maarten van Rouveroy: +31 (0) 646 197 322
Notes: For related reports see:http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/DRC-logging-sector-briefinghttp://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/conning-the-congo