AGP Executive Report

Congo Basin Expedition: Adventurer Ash Dykes has begun a 700-kilometre kayak journey on the Sangha River, from Nola in the Central African Republic to Mossaka in the Republic of Congo. The remote route crosses rainforest habitat and waters home to crocodiles and hippos. Wildlife Decline: WWF reports that the average size of monitored African wildlife populations fell 80% from 1970 to 2022. The figure tracks population trends, not a loss of 80% of all animals. Biodiversity Funding: Congo has launched a UNDP- and GEF-backed plan to identify funding for its 2025–2030 biodiversity strategy, including the country’s conservation goals. Forest Finance Gap: A recent analysis says the Congo Basin receives only 11% of international forest funding, despite its importance as a carbon sink; a new global firefighting fund is focused on South America.

Wildlife: A new global assessment says monitored African wildlife populations fell by an average of 80% from 1970 to 2022. The figure tracks population sizes, not the number of animals or species, and habitat destruction is a major pressure. Pangolin Trafficking: Three suspects face charges in Cameroon after authorities seized more than 700 kilograms of scales. Investigators say the alleged trafficking network extends into the Republic of Congo and neighboring countries. Biodiversity Funding: Congo has launched a UNDP- and Global Environment Facility-backed plan to identify funding for its 2025–2030 biodiversity strategy, including the country’s 30% protected-areas goal. Forest Rights: An international land-rights pledge delivered $2.35 billion from 2021 to 2025, exceeding its target, but only 7.2% of 2025 funding went directly to Indigenous and local communities.

Wildlife: Africa’s monitored vertebrate populations fell an average 80% from 1970 to 2022, the Living Planet Report says. That measures changes in population sizes, not an 80% loss of all wildlife; habitat destruction is a leading pressure. Forest Funding: A global land-rights pledge exceeded its target, delivering $2.35 billion from 2021 to 2025, but only 7.2% of 2025 funding went directly to Indigenous and local groups. Biodiversity Finance: Congo has launched a plan to find funding for its 2025–2030 biodiversity strategy, as it works toward conserving 30% of its land and waters. Congo Basin: A new firefighting fund focuses on South America, while the Congo Basin receives just 11% of international forest funding, despite being the world’s largest net carbon sink. Forest Mapping: Researchers warn that laser mapping beneath forest canopies may expose communities that have relied on forests for refuge, including communities in Congo.

Wildlife Rescue: A rescued baby gorilla was returned from Nigeria to the Republic of Congo, with DHL supporting the relocation. Biodiversity Funding: Congo has launched a UNDP- and Global Environment Facility-backed project to build a financing plan for its 2025–2030 biodiversity strategy, seeking resources to turn conservation goals into action. Sangha River: Welsh adventurer Ash Dykes has begun a month-long, 700-kilometre paddle through the Congo Basin, drawing attention to one of the region’s remote river ecosystems.

Biodiversity Finance: Congo is moving from plans to funding for its biodiversity goals, launching Biofin in Brazzaville to build a National Biodiversity Finance Plan for the 2025–2030 strategy, backed by the Global Environment Facility and UNDP. Protected Areas Funding Question: A separate piece asks who will pay for Congo’s 30% protected areas target, spotlighting the gap between ambition and budgets. Flood Risk & Plastic Pollution: A regional warning argues that heavy rain becomes disaster when drainage fails, plastic waste clogs waterways, and ecosystems are degraded—urging cities and authorities to treat nature-based protection as climate adaptation. Mining Governance Pressure: Civil society is calling for stronger, more transparent mining rules across the region, warning that weak enforcement can turn resource booms into “growth without development.” Wildlife Repatriation: Nigeria’s customs and partners completed a full-cycle operation repatriating a rescued baby gorilla to the Republic of Congo, with DHL supporting the cross-border logistics to Tchimpounga. Energy Infrastructure (CAPS): Congo and regional partners signed a revised CAPS pipeline MoU, aiming to mobilize investment for an integrated Central Africa oil and gas network—framed as energy security and industrialization.

Biodiversity Finance: Congo is moving to answer the “who pays?” question for its 30% protected areas goal, launching Biofin in Brazzaville to build a National Biodiversity Finance Plan backed by the GEF and UNDP, aimed at turning the 2025–2030 biodiversity strategy into funded, measurable action. Flood Risk & Plastic Pollution: A regional warning from Cameroon links heavier rains to weaker city planning—blocked drainage, plastic waste, and degraded ecosystems—arguing that disaster prevention must include nature protection and stronger accountability. Wildlife Protection (Gorilla Repatriation): Nigeria Customs and partners completed a full-cycle wildlife operation repatriating “Bili,” a rescued baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo’s Tchimpounga rehabilitation center, with DHL coordinating logistics and CITES support. Mining Governance Pressure: Civil society and mining-affected communities are calling for urgent mining sector reforms, warning that weak enforcement and low transparency can repeat “growth without development” and leave communities facing polluted water and damaged roads. Forest Mapping Ethics: New research highlights a growing debate over whether advanced mapping of tropical forests should be done at all, given risks to hidden communities and the environmental costs of surveillance. Energy Infrastructure (Regional): CEMAC, APPO and CABEF signed a revised MoU for the $14B Central Africa Pipeline System (CAPS), setting a three-year path for feasibility studies and investment to expand cross-border oil and gas trade. Ebola Trust Crisis: In Congo, a politician defending the Ebola response was beaten to death, underscoring how mistrust and attacks on responders are complicating containment efforts.

Forest & Climate Knowledge: A new SEAP Forests Knowledge Hub was launched during World Forestry Week to help governments and Indigenous groups protect Southeast Asia and the Pacific’s primary forests—key for biodiversity, carbon storage, water regulation, and food security. Local Implementation Push: Congo’s Central Bank governor urged turning CONFEP 2026 recommendations into a roadmap with deadlines, monitoring indicators, and clear responsibilities for provincial operations. Biodiversity Financing: Congo is moving to build a National Biodiversity Finance Plan (Biofin) to fund its 2025–2030 biodiversity strategy, backed by the GEF and UNDP. Flood Risk & Nature Protection: A warning on how extreme rain becomes disaster—through weak drainage, plastic waste, and degraded ecosystems—highlights the need for healthier forests and better city planning. Wildlife Repatriation: Nigeria’s customs repatriated a rescued baby gorilla, Bili, to the Republic of Congo, with DHL logistics support and CITES-backed procedures. Regional Energy Cooperation: CEMAC, APPO and CABEF signed the revised CAPS MoU to advance a $14bn Central Africa oil and gas pipeline network, with feasibility studies and investment mobilization next.

Wildlife & Anti-Trafficking: Nigeria’s Customs Service completed its first full-cycle international wildlife operation by repatriating rescued baby gorilla “Bili” to the Republic of Congo, with DNA confirmation, rehabilitation in Calabar, and DHL logistics to Tchimpounga (Pointe-Noire), supported by CITES authorities. Biodiversity & Forest Ethics: New research argues that advanced mapping of tropical forests—down to individual tree trunks—raises serious ethical questions about whether some forests should be mapped at all, given the risk to hidden communities and sensitive habitats. Regional Energy & Environment: CEMAC, APPO and CABEF signed a revised MoU for the Central Africa Pipeline System (CAPS), aiming to build an integrated $14bn oil and gas network—an energy-security push that will also intensify debates over environmental safeguards. Health & Trust: Congo’s Ebola response faces deep mistrust after a local politician defending the government’s Ebola efforts was beaten to death, underscoring how community resistance can slow containment. Climate Extremes (Context): Spain issued red storm alerts after a “mini-hurricane” killed two, a reminder of how fast extreme weather can escalate across regions. Conservation Funding (Neighboring focus): Ireland pledged €1.5m for Liberia mangrove restoration and coastal resilience, highlighting what community-led coastal protection can look like in practice.

Wildlife & Enforcement: Nigeria’s Customs Service completed a full-cycle operation repatriating the rescued baby gorilla “Bili” to the Republic of Congo, with DNA confirmation and CITES support, and DHL logistics to Tchimpounga near Pointe-Noire. Conservation & Community: Ireland pledged €1.5M for a three-year Liberia coastal resilience push—mangrove restoration, livelihood support, and local governance—targeting about 3,500 people (with women at least 40% of participants). Forest Ethics & Rights: Scientists argue that advanced mapping of tropical forests raises privacy and community concerns, questioning whether some forests should be mapped at all given hidden settlements and histories. Energy & Regional Trade: CEMAC, APPO and CABEF signed a revised CAPS pipeline MoU, aiming to connect Central Africa with an integrated $14B oil-and-gas network over a three-year horizon. Public Health & Trust: Congo’s Ebola response is strained by mistrust after the killing of a politician who defended the government’s Ebola efforts, underscoring how resistance can slow containment. Extreme Environment Spotlight: Welsh adventurer Ash Dykes kicked off “Project 6,” planning a month-long kayak descent of the Sangha River through crocodile- and hippo-infested waters.

Wildlife Repatriation: Nigeria’s Customs Service completed its first full-cycle international wildlife operation by repatriating the rescued baby gorilla “Bili” to the Republic of Congo, with DNA confirmation and CITES support, returning her to the Tchimpounga reserve near Pointe-Noire. Conservation Logistics: DHL backed the cross-border transfer, coordinating aviation and cargo support across Nigeria, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Congo—showing how private logistics can speed up protection for trafficked species. Forest Mapping Ethics: Researchers warn that advanced laser scanning of tropical forests raises serious questions about whether some forests should be mapped at all, given risks to hidden communities and the long history of forests being used to escape control. Regional Energy & Environment: CEMAC, APPO, and CABEF signed a revised CAPS pipeline MoU in Congo, aiming to connect Central African states with a $14bn integrated oil-and-gas network—an energy push that will also shape future environmental safeguards. UN Security Council Reform: Congo urged UN Security Council changes, backing Africa for two permanent seats with veto power, and reiterated its bid for a 2030–2031 non-permanent seat. Ebola Trust Crisis: In Congo, a politician defending the Ebola response was beaten to death, underlining how mistrust and violence against responders are complicating containment efforts.

Forest Mapping Ethics: Researchers argue that new laser scanning can reveal hidden people and settlements under tropical canopies, raising privacy and community-cost questions over whether some forests should be mapped at all. Mining & Arbitration: A cross-border iron ore dispute involving Sundance Resources highlights how mineral “sovereignty” and investor protections hinge on performance, not just payments, as arbitrations continue between Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. UN Security Council Reform: Congo pushes for UN Security Council changes that give Africa two permanent seats with veto power, plus a bid for a non-permanent seat for 2030–2031. Wildlife Repatriation: Nigeria’s Customs repatriated a rescued baby gorilla, Bili, to the Republic of Congo, completing a full-cycle operation supported by CITES processes and cross-border logistics. Ebola Trust Crisis: In Congo, a local politician was killed after defending the government’s Ebola response, underscoring how mistrust and attacks on responders are complicating containment. Regional Energy Infrastructure: CEMAC, APPO and CABEF signed a revised CAPS pipeline MoU, aiming to connect Central Africa with an integrated $14B oil-and-gas network. Coastal Resilience & Mangroves: Ireland-backed work in Liberia targets mangrove restoration and livelihood support—an example of how coastal protection can be tied to community resilience.

Wildlife & anti-trafficking: Nigeria’s Customs Service repatriated the rescued baby gorilla “Bili” to the Republic of Congo, completing a full-cycle operation (interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and safe return) to Tchimpounga near Pointe-Noire, with CITES support and DHL logistics. Conservation & livelihoods: Ireland pledged €1.5M for a three-year Liberia coastal project focused on mangrove restoration, coastal resilience, and community livelihoods—targeting 3,500 people with women at least 40% of participants and leadership. Regional energy infrastructure: CEMAC, APPO and CABEF signed a revised MoU for the Central Africa Pipeline System (CAPS), aiming for a $14B integrated oil-and-gas network with feasibility studies and investment mobilization over the next three years. Public health & trust: Congo’s Ebola response faces deep mistrust after a politician defending the government’s Ebola efforts was beaten to death, highlighting how resistance and attacks on responders complicate containment. Forests & policy: Governments and forest communities are gathering in Rome for FAO’s COFO28 and World Forest Week 2026, with a “forests for food, resilience and prosperity” theme. Environment-adjacent learning: Liberia’s education ministry is pushing a real-time school data system to speed decisions—an indirect boost for planning around schools and local services.

Wildlife Repatriation: Nigeria’s Customs Service completed its first full-cycle international wildlife operation, repatriating rescued baby gorilla “Bili” to the Republic of Congo’s Tchimpounga reserve after DNA confirmed her origin; the transfer involved rehabilitation in Calabar and cross-border logistics supported by DHL and CITES authorities. Regional Energy Infrastructure: In Brazzaville, CEMAC, APPO and CABEF signed the revised CAPS Pipeline MoU for a $14bn integrated Central Africa oil-and-gas network, with feasibility studies and investment mobilization set over the next three years. Mining Oversight Push: Civil society groups and mining-affected communities called for comprehensive mining reforms, warning that weak enforcement and low transparency can turn mineral wealth into “growth without development.” Ecosystem & Livelihoods: Ireland pledged €1.5m for a three-year mangrove restoration and coastal resilience project in Liberia’s southeast, targeting 3,500 beneficiaries and restoring 50 hectares of mangroves while strengthening local governance. Ebola Trust Crisis (Congo): A Congo politician defending the government’s Ebola response was beaten to death, highlighting how mistrust and resistance continue to hamper outbreak containment. Tourism & Tech: Brazzaville marked World Tourism Day by pitching AI and digital platforms to lift tourism’s GDP share from 3% toward nearly 10%.

Wildlife Repatriation: Nigeria’s Customs Service completed a full-cycle operation repatriating “Bili,” a rescued baby gorilla, back to the Republic of Congo’s Tchimpounga reserve, with DNA confirmation and CITES support, plus DHL logistics. Conservation & Community: Ireland pledged €1.5M for a three-year Liberia coastal project focused on mangrove restoration, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods—women targeted for at least 40% of participants—highlighting how ecosystem protection can be tied to local income. Ecosystem Monitoring: A Kyrgyz nanosatellite launch story spotlights Earth-observation tech aimed at tracking crops, water, and early drought signals, a reminder of how monitoring tools can support climate adaptation across the region. Biodiversity Awareness in Media: National Geographic’s “Africa: Earth’s Wild Home” highlights hard-to-film animal behavior without disturbing wildlife, underscoring the value of careful fieldwork for protecting biodiversity. Governance & Data: Liberia’s education ministry moves toward real-time school data systems, reflecting a broader push for faster decision-making in public services.

Wildlife crime & cross-border rescue: Nigeria Customs repatriated rescued baby gorilla “Bili” to the Republic of Congo, completing a full-cycle operation (interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and return) to Tchimpounga Nature Reserve in Pointe-Noire, with DHL logistics support and CITES backing. Conservation & public trust: In eastern Congo, a local politician was beaten to death after publicly defending the Ebola response, highlighting how mistrust and attacks on responders are undermining outbreak control. Forest protection finance: African countries are pushing new forest funding models, but a major forest finance gap remains—forests get less than 1% of global climate finance despite their role in climate mitigation. Mangroves & coastal resilience: Ireland pledged €1.5M for a three-year Liberia project to restore mangroves, strengthen coastal resilience, and support community livelihoods—women targeted for at least 40% of participants and leadership. Biodiversity & trafficking signals: Reports of five baby orangutans found in India are raising suspicions of an international trafficking network, underscoring ongoing pressure on endangered wildlife.

Wildlife Rescue & Cross-Border Enforcement: Nigeria’s Customs Service repatriated rescued baby gorilla “Bili” to the Republic of Congo, completing a full-cycle operation (interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and safe return) with DNA confirmation and DHL logistics to the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center near Pointe-Noire. Conservation Logistics: DHL also supported the relocation of another rescued gorilla, “Bili,” from Nigeria to Congo as part of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, showing how private logistics can speed up wildlife protection. Public Health & Community Trust: A Congo politician was beaten to death after defending the government’s Ebola response in an outbreak hotspot, underscoring how mistrust and attacks on responders can derail containment efforts. Coastal Ecosystems & Livelihoods: Ireland pledged €1.5 million for a three-year Liberia project to restore mangroves, boost coastal resilience, and improve sustainable livelihoods—an approach that links ecosystem recovery with community income and governance. Tourism & Digital Push (Congo): Brazzaville marked World Tourism Day by pitching AI and digital platforms to grow tourism’s GDP share and strengthen Congo’s competitiveness as a destination.