Three Basins Summit : A Good Start, But What Next?

The Three Basins Summit in Brazzaville, capital of Congo, held from October 26-28, 2023. The second of its kind, the summit sought to enhance cooperation between countries of the tropical forest basins of the Amazon in South America, the Congo in Africa and the Borneo-Mekong in Asia. The three rivers - Amazon, Congo and Borneo-Mekong - are home to two-thirds of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. Finance for climate action and conserving biodiversity were some of the central pillars of the summit. Tropical forest nations have historically and collectively demanded that their countries be paid for reducing deforestation and maintaining their forests as carbon sinks. They have also called for funding mechanisms to support this.
In the final declaration, the more than 3,000 delegates listed seven commitments. They urged nations to recognise the value of enhanced cooperation between the three basins; acknowledge the sovereign management of biodiversity, forests and associated resources of the three basins; and develop solutions together. Participants promised to pool and capitalise on existing knowledge, experience, resources and achievements; involve all states and national authorities, including indigenous peoples, youth, women, civil society, academia and the private sector. As well as to encourage financial mobilisation and the development of traditional and innovative financing mechanisms, and establish a sustainable system of remuneration for the ecosystem services provided by the three basins. Delegates agreed to create a fund to address loss and damage due to climate change, urging developed countries to meet their commitments. 
“The Three Basins Summit provided a good start on important discussions about the future of their forests and the soluti...