Kinshasa, December 11th, 2025 (CPA) – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through its Minister in charge of the Environment, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to preserving its vast tropical peat lands on the sidelines of the 7th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, according to a statement from the ministry consulted on Thursday. “I would like to express before this august assembly that the DRC has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to preserving its vast tropical peat lands, an ecosystem that is crucial for global climate regulation, biodiversity, and environmental stability, while unveiling my country’s national strategy for the protection and sustainable management of peat lands,” said Marie Nyange, Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and New Climate Economy, quoted in the press release. « The vital importance of these wetlands located in the central basin of the Congo Basin. They represent the largest collection of tropical peat lands on the planet, covering more than 16 million hectares and storing a colossal volume of nearly 30 billion tons of carbon, with natural capital that is a true ‘climate life insurance’ for Africa and humanity, » she added. Ms. Nyange said that the national strategy is based on four priority areas to address growing threats (deforestation, unplanned agricultural pressures, illegal exploitation, unsustainable infrastructure development, and the effects of climate change).
Progress
In addition, the Minister in charge of the Environment listed some recent advances in peat land protection, including the launch of the first National Pearland Program, the signing of a strategic partnership between the DRC and Indonesia within the International Tropical Peatlands Center (ITPC), the validation of preliminary maps of the Central Basin, and the integration of peatlands into the nationally determined contribution (NDC).
Furthermore, the DRC made a passionate appeal for international solidarity before emphasizing that peatland protection is a global challenge. “The country faces major challenges such as socio-economic pressures, the need for predictable and equitable climate finance, the need for large-scale energy alternatives, and appropriate technology transfer,” she said. To highlight these challenges, she called for fairer climate finance, proportional to the regulatory role of its ecosystems, strengthened technology partnerships, and recognition of Congo’s peat lands as a unique ecosystem requiring funding commensurate with its importance. She also invited the United Nations, technical and financial partners, as well as the entire international community to walk alongside it in this strategic mission in relation to its role of combating climate change and preserving a vast ecosystem that requires genuine solida. ACP/