cameroon fourth national report - Impact monitoring of Forest ...

The adoption of National Commitments for the
implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration
promoting public access to environmental information,
Participation of the public in environmental decision
making and public access to justice in the field of
environment,
Launching of the Operation Green Sahel Initiative in the
Far North Province with the planting of several thousand
trees by youth and local communities,(this initiative
ties with the UNEP Billion Tree Campaign and the Sahara
Green belt);
The identification of national wetland sites of
international importance,
The institution of Awards to various Divisions in the
country in support of environmental protection
competition activities (with special emphasis placed on
the conservation of biodiversity);
And the creation of the Department of Biodiversity in the
University of Yaounde I and Biodiversity Research
Centre(IRAD)
Greater emphasis is placed on biodiversity criteria during
environment impact assessments for major projects to be
realised in Cameroon in a truly participatory manner. Several
steps have been taken to improve communication, education and
public awareness in the field of the environment in general
and biodiversity in particular. The role played by other
stakeholder ministries, city councils, NGOs, Nature Clubs in
educational institutions in order to create awareness on
biodiversity has been considerable. The implementation of the
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
suffered from several institutional lapses resulting from
institutional and other changes.
Government is grateful to all donors that have provided
targeted support to programmes and projects relating to
biodiversity conservation and environmental management
particularly the Global Environment Facility who continue to
provide support to priority programmes. Synergies now exist in
the implementation of multilateral agreements on the
environment in particular the three Rio Conventions – CBD,
UNCCD and UNFCCC.
The major double challenges presently being faced by
Cameroon involves working out strategic plans towards
conserving the resources of the Congo Basin Ecosystem and
enabling local communities to effectively participate in the
equitable sharing of benefits resulting from the exploitation
of the resources they have contributed in conserving.
The two remaining years to 2010 require that Cameroonians
and their well-wishers combine their efforts towards meeting
these challenges. It is in this wise that the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) notably Goal Nº7 will be fulfilled at
the national level.
In my capacity as Minister in charge of the Environment
and Protection of Nature, I do urge each and everyone,
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