Kinshasa, October 18th, 2026 (CPA).- The assessment of strategic partnerships, the legal formalization of the National REDD+ Fund (Fonaredd), and financial prospects were at the center of a working session held in Kinshasa between the Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy (MEDD-NEC) and the fund’s National Executive Secretariat, according to a document consulted by the CPA on Sunday. According to the source, during the discussions, Fonaredd’s management team presented an overview of the implementation of commitments, highlighting, among other issues, “disbursement requests submitted by the Minister of Finance as part of the completion of ongoing programs, particularly the Sustainable Forest Management Program (PGDF), the Milestone Achievement Support Program (PAAJ), and the Executive Secretariat Support Program.”
Speaking on behalf of the Fonaredd delegation, National Executive Secretary Bavon N’sa Mputu Elima expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the supervisory authority. “We express our profound gratitude to Madam Minister for her continued support and sustained commitment to the process of legally formalizing Fonaredd,” he said.
Regarding the reforms undertaken and the partnership with the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), the Executive Secretariat highlighted the progress achieved on the ground.
“Significant progress has been made, marked by the achievement of several strategic milestones under the second Letter of Intent (LOI-2) of the DRC-CAFI partnership, as well as tangible results from sectoral reforms and investments in the main forest provinces,” said Bavon N’sa Mputu Elima.
In response to the concerns and challenges raised, Environment Minister Marie Nyange reaffirmed the government’s vision. “Our commitment is to progressively strengthen the sovereignty of the Congolese State in negotiations on external financing and to improve the technical capacities of public entities tasked with implementing these various programs,” she said. To ensure rigorous follow-up on the issues discussed, the minister outlined the next steps.
“I have asked the Fonaredd Executive Secretariat to prepare a technical report covering all the points discussed during this session, together with proposed measures to address the challenges and concerns raised,” she said. At the end of the meeting, the Environment Minister undertook to receive the Fonaredd Executive Secretariat in the coming days for an in-depth review of the technical report. CPA/