The Summit of the Three Forest Basins is set to take place from October 26 to 28, 2023, in Brazzaville. Its primary objective is to coordinate efforts to combat deforestation, protect the climate, and peatlands, and expedite the energy transition. However, the event is expected to involve representatives from the Congo Basin primarily.
On October 26, 2023, Brazzaville, the capital of Congo, will host a summit dedicated to the three major forest basins, the Amazon, Congo, and Borneo-Mekong. Experts will commence their discussions on Thursday, followed by ministerial meetings on Friday, culminating in a gathering of heads of state on Saturday, October 28. Nevertheless, the summit will predominantly involve representatives from a single basin, the Congo Basin.
This summit was originally envisioned as an assembly of the “three basins.” Yet, according to the official program, no high representatives from the Amazon and Borneo-Mekong are anticipated in Brazzaville. On Saturday, Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso will be joined exclusively by African counterparts.
During the summit’s opening, Alexandra Morea from the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization extended her virtual greetings, acknowledging the significance of the initiative. Additionally, on Saturday, participants will hear a message from Brazilian President Lula.
Official explanations regarding the absence of representatives from the other basins have not been provided. Nevertheless, the organizers are determined to convey the messages and demands of Brazil and Indonesia during this gathering. The overarching goal of the Brazzaville summit is to synchronize policies aimed at combating deforestation, safeguarding the climate, and peatlands, and advancing the energy transition.
Back in 2011, in Brazzaville, the three basins had articulated their shared aspirations in a declaration. However, they were unable to establish a permanent structure at that time. The summit in 2023 presents a fresh opportunity to rekindle these cooperative ambitions and address the critical issues surrounding the world’s forested regions.