The President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, HE Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is leading the fight against climate change in Africa as he attended the meeting of the Climate Commission of the Congo Basin to discuss the creation of the Blue Fund.
The Blue Fund is a financial instrument that will allow for the sustainable development of forests in the Basin, an area the United Nations (UN) estimates will double in size in the coming years from its current size of 8.6 million km². The Congo Basin is the second most important source of oxygen and forest reserve of carbon in the world after the Amazon rainforest, and contains unique flora and fauna biodiversity.
The President of Equatorial Guinea highlighted the importance of collective action against climate change, as well as sustainable development for African countries in regards to the environment and agriculture.
The Commission, attended by high-level government officials, non-governmental organizations, ecologists, civil society, and financial institutions, is focused on mitigating the impact of climate change in Africa and conserving key natural resources.
On the sidelines of the Commission, the President met with the President of the Central African Republic, HE Faustin Archange Touadera. The two discussed further strengthening ties between the West African countries, as well as explored potential future bilateral agreements and investments.
Equatorial Guinea is strongly committed to sustainable development in Africa. Equatorial Guinea has highlighted the importance of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) at the Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC), forest conservation, and the environment as part of the creation and implementation of its sustainable economic development model for the reduction of poverty.
In addition to the fight against climate change, Equatorial Guinea works closely with numerous international organizations on a number of development projects, including the eradication of hunger in Africa by 2025, in line with the country’s Sustainable Development Goals under the Horizon 2020 program.