Kinshasa, July 12th, 2026 (CPA) . – The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has adopted the National Forest Policy 2026–2035 in Kinshasa, according to the report of the 94th meeting of the Council of Ministers consulted by CPA on Saturday. « The Minister in charge of Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy submitted to the Council, for consideration and approval, the National Forest Policy 2026–2035. The document is intended to address the need to provide the country with a coherent and inclusive strategic framework to ensure the sustainable, equitable and integrated management of forest resources, » the report stated. According to the source, the policy responds to the need to strengthen governance, transparency and sustainability in the forestry sector while maximizing its contribution to the country’s economic and social development. The strategic framework aims to provide the DRC with a coherent and inclusive policy for the sustainable, equitable and integrated management of its vast forest resources. « The vision for 2035 is that of a Democratic Republic of Congo where forests are managed sustainably, contributing to poverty reduction, climate resilience and biodiversity conservation, » the Minister said. « The implementation of this policy requires a stronger institutional framework and better coordination between the national, provincial and local levels, as well as between customary rights and traditional systems on the one hand, and modern principles of forest governance on the other. It also calls for greater involvement of local communities, Indigenous Pygmy peoples, young people, women and persons with disabilities in forest governance processes, » she added.
According to the Minister in charge of Environment, the policy also calls for the mobilization of sustainable public and private financing, as well as enhanced regional and international cooperation, in order to position the DRC as a « Solution Country » in addressing global climate challenges. « Following discussion and deliberation, the Council adopted this policy together with the four other agenda items submitted, » the report concluded.