Open Dialogue between CAFI and International NGOs

On 17 June 2021, ahead of its 18th meeting, the CAFI Executive Board organized a virtual dialogue with international NGOs active in or campaigning on the Central African region. 

The meeting brought together 14 Board members and observers and 13 representatives from major environmental and governance international NGOs (see list below) to discuss and debate the challenges facing CAFI and its partner countries and opportunities to address them. There was much rich conversation throughout the two and half hours. Much of the discussion focused on CAFI’s engagement with the DRCongo, the Republic of Congo, and questions about CAFI’s governance. The whole list of questions, sent in advance, may be found in the section Document below.  

Among the most salient lines of conversation were:

Concern remains high on forest governance and land use planning in the DRCongo 

In response to concerns raised, the CAFI Board reiterated that Land use planning is an issue of key importance for CAFI, already highlighted in the 2016 Letter of Intent, and the focus of a frequent policy dialogue with the DRCongo authorities. While the DRCongo Administration changed in 2021, i.e. after the adoption of the DRCongo Land Use Planning Policy in 2020, the dialogue has continued with the new Administration. In this conducive dialogue,  CAFI continues to call for an inclusive process with national civil society and strengthened language on social and environmental safeguards. It was noted that the LUP Policy and Law will be complemented by a Land Use Plan that is yet to be drafted.

The Board also clarified that an independent mid-term evaluation of the Land use planning reform programme is underway, commissioned under the oversight of the FONAREDD Technical Committee, and will inform next steps, including changes to be undertaken -  within the limitations of a programme - and an eventual 2nd tranche of funding from CAFI.

Improved forest governance is a priority for CAFI in DRC, and an issue for which all perspectives, including those of civil society, are important to hear. It has mobilized CAFI’s constant attention throughout its partnership with the DRCongo, and was raised on numerous occasions with the succeeding Ministers of Environment. CAFI negotiated a Forest roadmap with the government in November/December 2019, on which is based a broader process of consultations. A legal review of the concessions financed by the delegation of the European Commission is in progress. In addition, the previous Prime Minister mandated an audit of the logging sector, including of all concessions. CAFI encourages NGOs, and especially national civil society in DRC to ask that this report, allegedly completed, is made publicly available.

It was also clarified that, as per its public decision, US$ 19.6 M USD were disbursed to the FONAREDD in 2020 to support the ongoing Civil Society programme, Land Tenure Reform Programme, a new provincial programme in Maniema and 2nd tranches to provincial programmes in Mongala and Mai Ndombe provinces.

Finally, CAFI reiterates that the lifting of the Moratorium should depend upon the legal conditions defined in the Presidential Decree n° 05/116 dated 24 October 2005.

The role of Indigenous Peoples should be valued more

Another recurrent topic was that the most vulnerable people and communities, including Indigenous Peoples, should benefit more directly from CAFI’s support.

CAFI recognize IP’s important role as forest stewards and is aware of that only a fraction of investments reaches these communities. CAFI seeks to ensure that more funding reaches them to improve their livelihood, while protecting their traditional lifestyles. The DRCongo should be congratulated on their Law to of 7 April 2021 on Indigenous Peoples, drafted with inputs from Indigenous Peoples. Implementation of this law is now vital to ensure better livelihoods.

In its upcoming agreement with the DRCongo, the CAFI Board is committed to encouraging the protection of the most valuable forests and recognizes that these are often located in areas where Indigenous peoples have their livelihoods.

Transparency is needed on the timeline for reaching a new Letter of Intent with the DRC and coherence with the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)

CAFI is currently reaching out to the new DRCongo administration to negotiate a Letter of Intent (LoI) which makes it is difficult at this stage to predict how CAFI’s priorities will translate into this new LoI. The timeline is not yet set and CAFI cannot predetermine the conclusions of the negotiations.

These negotiations, and the continuing dialogue, will be informed by the findings of the ongoing scientific study on recent trends and drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the whole region.

Regarding the NDC, CAFI continues to encourage the DRC to produce a coherent NDC that is coordinated across all ministries, and will strive to ensure that the new Letter of Intent is aligned with these targets. As host of COP-26, it is the UK’s ambition to catalyze contributions that limit the temperature increase to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Oil exploration in peatlands in the Republic of Congo remains of much concern

CAFI does not agree with the statement that the Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Republic of Congo is an open invitation to conduct drilling, logging and mining. The LoI was drafted to reduce the risks associated with this industry, while keeping in mind that the Republic of Congo is a sovereign country. CAFI believes the language of the LoI is rather strict in regard to what economic activities can be undertaken to avoid drying out the peatlands. CAFI’s strategy has been to insist on safeguards and provide technical assistance to develop these.

Finally, regarding questions about Total, the Board reminded that the country has pledged to invest in 1 million hectares of new plantations, and of the need to ensure that the country has the sufficient forest governance safeguards to be ready for these investments.

What About CAFI’s Governance?

CAFI appreciated the Transparency International report and constructive exchanges prior to its publication, and recognizes that moving forward needs this type of critical view on how CAFI functions.

The CAFI Board remarked that it acted swiftly on some of the recommendations that were raised, such as: 

• The issue of perceived conflict of interest related to the role of UNDP as host of the CAFI Secretariat and as an implementing agency is being resolved, as the CAFI Secretariat is in the process of being transferred to the MPTF Office in New York.
• Executive Board meeting reports (but not minutes) are available through the website, as well as details about each programme (objectives, financial delivery and results)
• CAFI now has an information disclosure policy (in the Manual of Operations).
• Conflicts of interest are now declared ahead of each Board meeting.
• Discussions/consultations with INGOs were planned in 2020, but the covid-19 crisis prevented us from meeting. Open discussions like this meetings are very appreciated and will be repeated.
• Information on our complaints and whistleblower mechanisms is found in our Manual of Operations, available on our website. Complaints can be addressed to CAFI by email and we also refer to our implementing organizations’ own complaints and whistleblower mechanisms. The CAFI website offers a list with links to these.

Next Steps

This INGO dialogue was part of a serious of dialogues, temporarily halted by the COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2018. The CAFI Board plans to continue to advance its endeavour for more transparency and participation, while highlighting that the role of national civil society is paramount to advocate and advise CAFI partner governments.

CAFI participants:

Norway International Climate and Forest Initiative, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Korea Forest Service, Netherlands, UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Food and Agriculture Organization, French Development Agency, German Agency for International Cooperation, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, CAFI Secretariat. 

INGO participants:

Environmental Investigation Agency, FERN, Greenpeace Africa, Rainforest Norway, Rainforest Foundation UK, Transparency International, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund.