In an exciting step towards global forest preservation, several major rainforest nations came together recently at the second-ever Three Basins Summit to discuss plans and tactics for protecting and restoring important rainforest ecosystems.
- “The three Basins” refers to the regions and 21 countries that make up the world’s three largest tropical forest basins: the Amazon, Congo, and Asia-Pacific.
- Two-thirds of land-based biodiversity and 80% of the tropical forests in the world are located in these three tropical forest basins. EcoWatch
Why the summit matters
It has been 12 years since the first Three Basins Summit, during which time deforestation has progressed at an alarming pace in these regions. So the fact that discussions have been picked back up by key regional players is cause for hope!
- Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International, said: “The Three Basins Summit is an unmissable opportunity to deepen collaboration between tropical forest countries and to stimulate the action and finance needed to protect and restore Earth’s vital forest ecosystems.” WWF
Outcomes of the summit
While no official tri-basin alliance was formed at the Congo-hosted summit, commitments to a 7-point plan were made by key players that, if completed, would make notable progress in the fight to preserve these important forests.
These included discussions about involving indigenous peoples in preservation and financials, and a commitment to work together to come up with solutions to shared struggles.
“Together, we have the duty and the power to bequeath to future generations a legacy of preservation and protection of our planet.” – Denis Sassou-Nguesso President of the Republic of Congo Chair of the Congo Basin Climate Commission