Delegates Converge for the Summit of the Three Basins
Tropical Forests, The Republic of Congo’s capital, Brazzaville, plays host to a significant international gathering – the Summit of the Three Basins. This summit holds a critical mission: strengthening governance for three of the world’s most vital ecosystems – the Amazon, Congo, and Borneo-Mekong/Southeast Asia.
Persistent Threats to Tropical Forests
A recently published global report titled “The Three Basins Threat Report: Fossil Fuel, Mining, and Industrial Expansion Threats to Forests and Communities,” compiled collaboratively by Earth Insight and other non-profit organizations, brings to light the ongoing challenges faced by tropical forests in these regions.
Fossil fuel, mining, and extractive industry expansion have emerged as formidable threats.
Concerns for Global Climate Stability and Biodiversity
These ecosystems are grappling with extensive forest loss, pushing them perilously close to a systemic breakdown. The consequences ripple across global climate stability, biodiversity, and the well-being of millions of indigenous peoples and local communities.
The Dominion of Oil and Gas Concessions
An astonishing 20% of intact tropical forests within the three basins now find themselves within active and potential oil and gas concessions. In the Amazon and Congo basins, this figure climbs to nearly 25% of forests being located within active or potential mining concessions.
Impact on Indigenous and Local Communities
The expansion of these industries directly affects over 200 million individuals, a substantial portion of whom belong to indigenous and local communities. Their livelihoods are intricately connected to the well-being of these forests.
The Call for Protection and Indigenous Inclusion
The report presents a fervent appeal to world leaders to commit to the protection of these invaluable forests within the three basins. It underscores the utmost importance of placing Indigenous peoples and local communities at the forefront of the solutions proposed within the framework of the Three Basins Initiative.
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Region-Specific Concerns
Each of the three basins presents its unique set of challenges:
- Amazon Basin: Here, nearly 13% of undisturbed tropical forests overlap with existing or planned oil and gas blocks. Over 33% of these forests overlap with active and inactive mining concessions. Notably, more than 31 million hectares of Indigenous territories fall within these zones.
- Congo Basin: More than 39% of undisturbed Tropical Moist Forests overlap with oil and gas blocks. Nearly 27% overlap with mining concessions, posing an existential threat to Indigenous pygmy communities and other rare and threatened peoples.
- Southeast Asia: Here, nearly 20% of undisturbed Tropical Moist Forests find themselves within oil and gas blocks designated for production or exploration. In Indonesia, 53% of natural forests face vulnerability to various extractive concessions, including palm oil, mining, logging, and energy.
An International Call to Action
The Summit of the Three Basins, spanning from October 26-28, serves as a platform for heads of state, government representatives, international organizations, donors, financing entities, and experts to deliberate.
The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, underscores the need for global mobilization to address the environmental and climate emergency that imperils the planet.
Historical Significance
The inaugural Summit of the Three Tropical Forest Basins, held in Brazzaville in 2011, gave birth to the Declaration of the Summit of the Three Tropical Forest Basins.
This declaration recognized the necessity of establishing a cooperative platform among the countries within these three vital basins.
Conclusion
The Summit of the Three Basins serves as a critical milestone in recognizing the dire state of the world’s crucial ecosystems – the Amazon, Congo, and Borneo-Mekong/Southeast Asia.
“The Three Basins Threat Report” has sounded a clear warning about the threats of fossil fuel, mining, and industrial expansion, with repercussions that transcend borders, affecting climate stability, biodiversity, and indigenous communities.
With over 200 million people, including many indigenous and local groups, directly impacted, the report’s plea to world leaders is unmistakable – safeguard these forests and empower local communities within the Three Basins Initiative.
Distinct challenges confront each basin, endangering both the environment and unique cultures. As the summit unfolds, it underscores the urgency of a global response to the environmental and climate crises.
The historical context reminds us of the cooperative spirit born in 2011, symbolized by the Declaration of the Summit of the Three Tropical Forest Basins. Together, nations in these basins must act swiftly and inclusively to protect these ecosystems, securing a sustainable future for our planet and its people.