Context and Justification
Africa stands at a decisive crossroads: it is both highly exposed to the impacts of climate change and endowed with natural resources that are vital for the planet. The Congo Basin, a significant part of which lies in the Republic of Congo, is the world’s second green lung, absorbing about 1.5 billion tonnes of CO? each year (Global Carbon Project, 2022).

Yet, despite this crucial role, Congo-Brazzaville and many African countries remain vulnerable:

• Persistent economic dependence on oil (over 70% of Congo’s GDP) ;
• Low rural electrification (less than 30%) ;
• Limited urban waste management (less than 20% processed in Brazzaville) ;
• Growing pressures on forests and land.

Objectives of the Conference

This presentation aims to:

1. Provide a critical assessment of the environmental situation in Africa and in Congo ;
2. Highlight the strategic issues related to climate, forests, energy, and youth ;
3. Propose concrete pathways for solutions, rooted in the African context.

Key Messages

• Climate: Recurrent floods of the Congo River and rising sea levels threaten infrastructure and communities (IPCC, 2023).
• Forests: The Congo Basin is essential to global climate balance but is facing increasing exploitation (FAO, 2020).
• Energy: Solar, biogas, and micro-hydropower represent viable alternatives for rural electrification (AfDB, 2022).
• Youth: More than 60% of the Congolese population is under 25 years old: a challenge, but also an opportunity for ecological innovation.
• Climate Justice: Africa must demand fair compensation for the ecosystem services it provides to humanity (COP27, 2022).