The key facts

  • Félix Tshisekedi spoke at the forest roundtable at COP31 in Antalya
  • He called for fair, predictable and sustainable compensation for tropical forest ecosystem services
  • The Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor covering about 540,000 sq. km was mentioned

Speech at the COP31 forest roundtable

President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Félix Tshisekedi said on Wednesday at a roundtable dedicated to forests, held as part of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) taking place in Antalya, that the protection of tropical forests must become a shared responsibility. According to him, bearing the costs of this protection should also become a common obligation.

Demands on financing and compensation

Tshisekedi emphasized the need for climate finance that directly benefits indigenous peoples and local communities, and called for fair, predictable and sustainable compensation for the ecosystem services provided by tropical forests. He also noted the need for an international commitment proportionate to the environmental challenges and pointed to the important role of the Congo's forests in regulating the global climate.

The country's initiatives and the summit context

The President spoke about the country's initiatives in support of the ecological transition, in particular the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor — a protected area of about 540,000 square kilometers focused on local communities, intended for ecosystem restoration, agroforestry, job creation and strengthening peace and national cohesion.

Conference format

The twelve-day summit will run until November 20; world leaders, business representatives and civil society are taking part in it to discuss global climate action. The conference has given African countries a platform to advance climate support capable of responding to their growing vulnerability to extreme weather events.