It is with great pleasure that the University of Kinshasa (Unikin) and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) invite you to a 3-day scientific conference from December 12 to 14, 2022, on the theme “Bridging the gap between policy and science on combating climate change and deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Current and post-COP.27 situation”
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to more than half of the Congo Basin's forests and boasts impressive biodiversity that provides ecosystem services essential to the ecological balance of the Congo Basin, Africa, and the planet. Furthermore, the DRC has 10 % of the world's freshwater reserves, 101,500 km² of peatlands, and 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide absorbed annually (MEDD, 2022). However, the DRC faces the highest deforestation rate compared to other Congo Basin states (OFAC, 2022), environmental problems (killing of eco-guards, ineffective waste management, illegal logging), environmental risks (unsustainable exploitation of mineral resources in forests and protected areas), and a high poverty rate; it is ranked 179th with a Human Development Index of 0.479 (UNDP, 2022).
This 3-day event brings together policymakers, scientists, civil society, indigenous groups, donors, practitioners and young students to (i) reflect on the policies and progress made by the Congolese Government before and after COP27 in addressing climate change and deforestation; (ii) discuss how science can contribute to the evidence-based decision-making process and (iii) promote information exchange and knowledge sharing among DRC stakeholders for better management of issues related to climate change and deforestation.
As a leading expert in this field, we invite you to participate in this event and share your perspectives and insights with other stakeholders. The full program is presented below. In-person or virtual participation is possible. Online participants must register by emailing blaisepascalmihigo@gmail.com and c.amani@cgiar.org to receive the electronic link to join this conference virtually. If you wish to participate in person, the conference will take place at the Monekosso Conference Room, next to the Kinshasa University Clinics, within the University of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Please confirm your participation by December 12, 2022, at 7:00 a.m. by emailing blaisepascalmihigo@gmail.com and c.amani@cgiar.org.
We look forward to your presence and thank you for your interest in being part of this important event.
Please accept, Madam/Sir, the expression of our distinguished sentiments.

Theme: Bringing together policy and science on the fight against climate change and deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Current situation and post-COP 27