COP30: Three nations consider creating a strategic bloc for the carbon market

Kinshasa, November 16^th, 2025 (CPA). – The creation of a strategic bloc for the carbon market, bringing together the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia and Brazil, has been on the agenda of a diplomatic meeting on Saturday between the Congolese Minister in charge of the Environment and her Indonesian counterpart, according to a statement received on Sunday by CPA. « The main purpose of this meeting was to finalise the initiative to form a tripartite organisation bringing together DRC, Brazil and Indonesia. These three nations, containing the largest tropical forests on the planet, are considering the creation of a strategic bloc for the carbon market, structured on the model of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), » it is read in the statement from the Ministry in charge of the Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy. According to the source, the aim of this bloc is to strengthen the position of tropical countries on the global carbon market. ‘By pooling their data and strategies, the three countries aim to regulate the carbon market for their forest credits, harmonise credit prices to ensure fair remuneration for their environmental services, and exchange scientific and economic information,’ it is specified. The issue of the peatland protection (ecosystems crucial for carbon storage) has also been raised, particularly in the context of the ITBC (Initiative for the Tropical Congo Basin) project resulting from the Brazzaville Declaration.  Indonesia has requested the support of DRC for a strengthened tripartite declaration on the protection of these wetlands.  Minister Marie Nyange Ndambo has, in turn, confirmed DRC’s commitment, emphasising that the country also has significant peatlands. She has proposed that the tripartite framework (Brazil, DRC, and Indonesia) be expanded to support all initiatives related to peatland conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable forest management. ‘This bloc’s initiative is a crucial strategic step. Our goal is to transform our role as the world’s “green lung” into a fair economic and social lever, ensuring that we obtain equitable benefits on the carbon market to finance the protection of our forests and communities,’ she has said. The Minister in charge of the Environment has also confirmed the imminent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Brazil on scientific exchange, research, and the sharing of experiences and studies between the Congo Basin and the Amazon. A ministerial meeting is scheduled for early next week. Brazil would like to facilitate payment mechanisms for Environmental Services (PSE), aimed at financing local communities that protect the environment and ensuring sustainable financing for forest protection. Indonesia has confirmed its participation in this meeting. ACP/