Kinshasa, May 29th, 2025 (CPA) – The reference documents for the national wildlife policy in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were examined on Thursday in Kinshasa by stakeholders at the first meeting of the steering committee devoted to the reform of this sector.
‘This first meeting of the steering committee is an opportunity to examine the reference documents for the implementation of the national wildlife policy in the DRC,’ said Benjamin Toirambe, Secretary General for the Environment and Sustainable Development. He stressed that this is an essential stage in the process, as it will provide an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the basic tools already produced to equip the country with a national policy in this sector. Mr Toirambe pointed out that the country has exceptional wildlife assets, in terms of diversity as well as ecological, economic and cultural value. However, he said, this heritage is currently under heavy pressure from poaching, habitat loss, illegal and uncontrolled trade, human-wildlife conflicts, and the absence of a coherent, inclusive management framework adapted to the challenges of the 21st century.
In response to these major challenges, the Secretary General for the Environment welcomed the government’s initiative, through the responsible ministry, to launch a structured process in March 2024 aimed at providing the DRC with its very first National Wildlife Policy, the first stage in a comprehensive reform of the sector. This process,’ he continued, ’is based on scientific evidence, participatory diagnosis and alignment with our international commitments. He followed the various stages in line with the prescriptions of national directives on the development of public policies. He also took the opportunity to commend the commitment of the respective institutions to supporting an ambitious national process that holds great promise for the future of the country, biodiversity and the communities that live in direct contact with wildlife.
FAO to support the process
The FAO has pledged to support the process until it is fully completed. Henri-Paul Eloma, FAO Programme Officer, speaking on behalf of the Resident Representative, recalled that the Ministry in charge of the Environment, as part of the implementation of the sustainable wildlife management project, had requested the support of the specialized agency to lead the wildlife policy formulation process. Mr Eloma said that this policy, supported by the agency, had led to the drafting of a summary diagnostic document for wildlife.
‘The holding of this first meeting of the steering committee comes at the right time, and should make it possible to begin the consultation stage in the provinces, because a policy must be underpinned by the administration and civil society’, he said. The FAO program officer welcomed the leadership of the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development in this process, before reiterating his thanks to resource partners such as the European Union (EU) and the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) for their financial support. CPA/