The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo adopted the country’s first National Forest Policy 2025–2035 during the Cabinet meeting held on Friday, July 10. According to the official report of the meeting, this reform aims to modernize governance in the forestry sector and promote the sustainable management of natural resources. It is the result of an extensive consultation process involving public administrations, civil society organizations, representatives of local communities and Indigenous Peoples, as well as other stakeholders.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, the policy responds to the need to better structure a sector that is strategic to the national economy while incorporating biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation objectives. “This policy is built around several strategic pillars, including the sustainable and integrated management of forest resources, strengthened governance, the promotion of the forest economy, the protection of the rights of local communities and Indigenous Peoples, and the enhancement of ecosystem services, particularly forest carbon,” the statement said.

The forest policy also provides for the decentralization of forest management by giving greater responsibility to decentralized territorial entities. It also highlights several major challenges, including deforestation, illegal logging, and increasing population pressure.

Environmental advocates have welcomed the adoption of the policy, describing it as an important step forward for forest governance in the DRC. However, they stress that its effectiveness will depend on its actual implementation, including the meaningful participation of local communities and Indigenous Peoples in decision-making processes and in the sharing of benefits derived from forest resources.

“The legal framework and institutional mechanisms are sound, but local communities now want to see tangible impacts and concrete actions on the ground that improve their living conditions,” said Crispin Ngakani.

This view is consistent with the findings of a study published in June 2026 in the International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovation (IRSI Journal). According to the study, the sustainable management of the Congo Basin forests requires stronger governance and transparency, greater involvement of local communities, the development of a green economy based on ecotourism and non-timber forest products, the protection of biodiversity through protected areas and ecological corridors, and increased investment in scientific research and capacity building.

Victoire Katembo Mbuto

Caption: Sky view of the forest in Upemba park. Photo by Akilimali Chomachoma