"For over 16 years, UNESCO has been strongly mobilized by ERAIFT’s side, to assist the DRC in its ambitions with the Man and the Biosphere programme. This experience has allowed us to strengthen regional capacities, especially to support biodiversity conservation and address climate change,"said the Director-General.

This education and research institute is located in the heart of the University Campus of Kinshasa. It began in 1999 as a regional project under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere programme (MAB) and has since grown steadily to become a Centre of excellence under the auspices of UNESCO (Category 2 Center) with a regional focus. Through research, capacity building and knowledge sharing, ERAIFT will provide valuable and unique contribution to implement operational planning strategies for tropical forest management and UNESCO’s strategic programme objectives for the benefit of Member States.

ERAIFT aims to train a new generation of specialists to develop and manage tropical forests and lands by applying a systemic approach. Since its inception, the institution has welcomed students from 22 countries while establishing numerous international partnerships, particularly in Africa, Asia and Europe. The school develops its research and training programmes in three Biosphere Reserves in the DRC (Lufira, Yangambi and Luki) and its five World Heritage sites (Parc National des Virunga, Garamba National Park, Park National Kahuzi Biega, Salonga National Park, Fauna reserve Okapi) with the support of UNESCO's MAB programme.

The Director-General and the Ambassador also thanked the representatives of the 10 ERAIFT member countries as well as representatives of major donors who were all present during the signing ceremony of this agreement, which marks a new stage in the cooperation between UNESCO and the DRC.

Related links :

• ERAIFT Website (in French)
• Current calls for proposals for ERAIFT Masters Programmes  
  
• UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme