Gabon

• © UNESCO
• Audiovisual Training for the Forest People of Gabon - 12.2004

Gabon joined UNESCO on 16 November 1960 and hosts a UNESCO Cluster Office in Libreville.

Gabon works with UNESCO in all the Organization’s fields of competence. In higher education, a UNESCO Chair in Social Development and Democracy was created in 2004 at the University of Omar Bongo in Libreville.

Set in the heart of the world’s second largest tropical forest area, Gabon values wildlife and natural resources conservation. By presidential decree, 13 national parks were created, covering about 11% of the country. Gabon gained its first World Heritage site, the Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda, in 2007. It participates in the Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative (CAWHFI), which supports conservation efforts, e.g. anti-poaching measures.

A strong supporter of cultural diversity and dialogue, Gabon hosts the International Centre for the Bantu Civilizations (CICIBA). Ongoing projects promote Pigmy language and culture, including “Audiovisual Training for the Forest People”.