The Republic of Congo has launched a major international afforestation and reforestation initiative aimed at reversing forest degradation, expanding global tree cover and strengthening efforts to address climate change.
President Denis Sassou N’Guesso formally launched the global Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation initiative, calling for stronger international cooperation to protect forests and accelerate restoration programmes across the world.
The ceremony attracted several African leaders, including Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, highlighting the continent’s growing interest in forest conservation and climate resilience.
During the event, Ndayishimiye symbolically presented Sassou N’Guesso with a mango sapling from Burundi, which was subsequently planted as part of the launch ceremony.
The initiative was adopted by the United Nations in 2025 following a proposal from the Republic of Congo and is scheduled to run from 2027 to 2036.
It is designed to encourage coordinated tree-planting programmes, restore degraded landscapes and mobilise governments, international organisations, development institutions and local communities around forest conservation.
The programme comes amid growing concerns about deforestation, biodiversity loss, land degradation and the effects of climate change on ecosystems and vulnerable communities.
Forests play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide, regulating rainfall patterns, protecting biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people.
For African countries, forest restoration also presents opportunities to strengthen climate adaptation, protect agricultural productivity and develop sustainable environmental industries.
The Republic of Congo’s leadership in the initiative reflects the importance of the Congo Basin, which contains one of the world’s largest tropical rainforest ecosystems and serves as a major global carbon sink.
The launch also comes ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled to take place in Türkiye, providing an opportunity to sustain international discussions around climate financing and environmental protection.
The success of the decade-long programme will depend on sustained financing, effective monitoring, community participation and the ability of participating countries to translate international commitments into measurable restoration outcomes.
The initiative is expected to provide a framework for strengthening global cooperation on forest protection while positioning African countries as important contributors to international climate action.
