Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative (CAWHFI)
Vision
“A transborder network of exceptional protected areas and World Heritage Sites whose integrity is maintained, and where the control on poaching and the regulation of bush-meat business are exemplary and a model for the management of the forest ecosystem in Central Africa and elsewhere”.
Mission
To improve the management of forest sites in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo and Gabon, likely to be recognized for their Outstanding Universal Value and to improve their integration within the ecological landscapes they belong to.
Transboundary landscapes, target sites of CAWHFI
- Sangha Trinational (TNS)
- Conkouati-Mayumba-Gamba Landscape
- Dja-Odzala-Minkebe Trinational Landscape (TRIDOM)
Components
Activities implemented by UNESCO and its partners
A major success for the Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative: TNS’s inscription on the World Heritage List in 2012.
Cameroon, Central African Republic and Congo, in collaboration with UNESCO and its partners (FTNS, WCS and WWF) and with financial support from the European Commission, were involved in gaining recognition for the TNS complex of its outstanding universal values which have been recognized at an international scale and resulted in the inscription of the site on the World Heritage List.
This nomination is the result of a lengthy process of concentrated awareness raising and specific training to the different actors involved in this inscription, particularly the TNS conservators. UNESCO had an advisory role and the partners brought their technical expertise to support the three State Parties in preparing the TNS nomination file. The TNS inscription on the World Heritage List enhances the involvement of the three State Parties and sub-regional structures for conservation in the sustainable management of the forest heritage in Central Africa.
Actions implemented
on the three transborder complexes
(2004-2013)
News (12)
- The European Commission supports a new phase of the Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative Friday, 18 December 2015
- The Director-General of UNESCO Expresses Deep Concern at the Rising Violence in the Central African Republic, at the Heart of the Sangha Trinational Site Friday, 3 May 2013
- World Heritage in the Congo Basin Wednesday, 23 June 2010
- European Commission contributes €2.5 million to Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative Friday, 19 December 2008
- Natural heritage experts review protected areas in Congo Basin to identify those suitable for World Heritage inscription Thursday, 20 March 2008