AGP Executive Report

Marine Pollution: Satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park, the worst pollution recorded in any marine protected area studied. The slicks likely came from three offshore oil platforms, threatening habitat for whales, dolphins, turtles and other marine life. Congo Basin Forests: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but forest loss in tropical Africa remained high, with 2.4 million hectares cleared. Researchers say there was no sign of a decline in the Congo Basin, where agriculture, logging and mining continue to drive losses. Green Innovation: The EU has opened a competition for Congolese founders aged 18 to 35, with support for projects in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and environmental management. Twelve winners can receive cash prizes, while 24 entrepreneurs will get six months of training and coaching.

Congo Basin Forests: A new assessment says global forest loss fell 15% in 2025, but the Congo Basin saw no decline. Tropical Africa lost 2.4 million hectares, with agriculture, logging and mining among the drivers. The world remains off track to end deforestation by 2030. Green Innovation: The EU has opened applications for a youth competition supporting Congolese projects in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and environmental management, alongside digital technology. Marine Pollution: Satellite monitoring found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park. The pollution likely came from three offshore oil platforms outside the protected area, threatening habitat for turtles, whales, dolphins and other marine life.

Forest Loss: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but the new Forest Declaration Assessment warns that losses are worsening in Central Africa. Agriculture and mining remain major drivers, putting the 2030 goal to end deforestation further out of reach. Marine Pollution: Satellite analysis recorded 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely drifting from offshore platforms. The park is home to whales, dolphins, manatees, sharks and nesting sea turtles. Green Enterprise: The EU has opened a competition offering young Congolese entrepreneurs cash prizes and coaching, with eligible projects including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and environmental management. Wildlife: WWF reports monitored wildlife populations in Africa fell by an average of 80% between 1970 and 2022. The figure tracks population trends, not an 80% loss of all African wildlife.

Marine Pollution: Satellite monitoring found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in the Republic of Congo’s Conkouati-Douli National Park between 2022 and 2025. The slicks likely came from offshore platforms outside the protected area, threatening habitat for turtles, dolphins, whales and other marine life. Wildlife: WWF reports that monitored African animal populations fell by an average of 80% from 1970 to 2022. The figure tracks changes in population sizes, not an 80% loss of all wildlife, and highlights mounting pressure from habitat destruction, poaching and climate change. Biodiversity Policy: Ahead of the COP17 biodiversity summit, countries are not on track to meet 22 of 23 global biodiversity targets—raising the stakes for negotiations on conservation action.

Marine Pollution: Satellite monitoring found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of the waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park between 2022 and 2025. The slicks likely came from offshore platforms beyond the park’s boundaries, threatening habitat for turtles, dolphins, whales and manatees. Biodiversity: A WWF report says monitored wildlife populations in Africa fell by an average of 80% from 1970 to 2022. The figure tracks population trends, not the total number of animals lost, and highlights the pressure on ecosystems from habitat loss, poaching and climate change. Global Nature Talks: Countries meet in Yerevan from October 19 to 30 for the COP17 biodiversity summit, halfway to the 2030 targets. The UN says nations are not on track to meet 22 of 23 goals.

Marine Pollution: Oil slicks repeatedly entered protected waters around the Republic of Congo’s Conkouati-Douli National Park, where researchers recorded 27 slicks covering 880 square kilometres. They likely drifted from offshore oil platforms, threatening waters used by dolphins, whales, sea turtles and other marine life. Wildlife at Risk: WWF says monitored wildlife populations in Africa fell by an average of 80% from 1970 to 2022; the figure tracks population sizes, not the total number of animals lost. Habitat destruction and overexploitation are among the pressures. Pangolin Trafficking: Three suspects in Cameroon face charges after authorities seized more than 700 kilograms of pangolin scales. Investigators say the alleged trafficking network extends into the Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries.

Wildlife Decline: WWF reports monitored African wildlife populations have fallen by an average of 80% since 1970. That measures population trends, not a loss of 80% of all animals, and the report points to recovery where conservation is sustained and communities are involved. Congo Basin Journey: Explorer Ash Dykes is kayaking 700 kilometres down the Sangha River, from the Central African Republic to Mossaka in the Republic of Congo, bringing global attention to the basin’s remote rainforest and wildlife. Pangolin Trafficking: Three suspects in Cameroon face charges after authorities seized more than 700 kilograms of pangolin scales. Investigators say the trafficking network extends into Congo and neighbouring countries. Forest Funding: A 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. The funding gap leaves a vital rainforest region short of support.

Wildlife Decline: WWF’s Living Planet Report says monitored African wildlife populations fell by an average of 80% from 1970 to 2022. That measures changes in tracked populations, not a loss of 80% of all animals. Habitat destruction, overexploitation and climate change are key pressures. Pangolin Trafficking: Three suspects in Cameroon face charges after authorities seized more than 700 kilograms of scales; investigators say the alleged trafficking network reaches the Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries. Congo Basin Funding: An international forest fund report says the Congo Basin receives just 11% of international forest funding, despite its importance as a major carbon sink. Sangha Expedition: Adventurer Ash Dykes is paddling about 700 kilometres down the Sangha River from the Central African Republic to Mossaka, bringing global attention to the region’s remote rainforest and wildlife.

Wildlife Crime: Three suspects in Cameroon face charges over more than 700kg of pangolin scales; investigators say the trafficking network extends into the Republic of Congo and neighboring countries. Congo Basin: Adventurer Ash Dykes is attempting a 700-kilometre kayak journey down the Sangha River, ending at Mossaka. Biodiversity: WWF reports monitored African wildlife populations fell by an average of 80% from 1970 to 2022. That measures population trends, not the share of all animals lost. Forest Finance: A new firefighting fund targets South America, while the Congo Basin receives only 11% of international forest funding. Separately, community groups received just 7.2% of funding under a global land-rights pledge in 2025, renewing concerns over who benefits from forest conservation support.

Climate: September 2026 was Earth’s second-hottest September on record, adding to climate pressures facing the Congo Basin. Wildlife: WWF says monitored African wildlife populations fell by an average of 80% from 1970 to 2022. That tracks population sizes, not a loss of 80% of all animals; habitat destruction, overuse and climate change are key pressures. Forest Funding: A new $100 million firefighting fund targets South America, while the Congo Basin receives just 11% of international forest funding, despite being the world’s largest net carbon sink. Community Stewardship: Forest-rights funders delivered $2.35 billion from 2021 to 2025, beating their target, but only 7.2% went directly to Indigenous and local groups in 2025. Wildlife Crime: Three suspects in Cameroon face charges after authorities seized more than 700 kilograms of pangolin scales; investigators say the trafficking network extends into Congo and neighboring countries.

Wildlife Decline: Monitored wildlife populations in Africa fell by an average of 80% from 1970 to 2022, according to WWF’s latest Living Planet Report. The figure tracks population sizes, not the total number of animals lost; habitat destruction and overexploitation remain key pressures. Forest Funding Gap: A new $100 million firefighting fund targets South America, leaving the Congo Basin among major rainforest regions with limited support. The basin receives just 11% of international forest funding, despite its importance as a carbon sink. Biodiversity Finance: Republic of Congo has launched a UNDP- and Global Environment Facility-backed project to develop a national biodiversity finance plan, aiming to fund its 2025–2030 conservation strategy.

Wildlife Decline: Monitored wildlife populations in Africa fell by an average of 80% between 1970 and 2022, WWF’s new report says. The measure tracks population changes, not the total number of animals lost; habitat destruction and degradation are major pressures. Biodiversity Funding: The Republic of Congo has launched a plan to identify funding for its 2025–2030 biodiversity strategy. The Biofin project aims to turn conservation goals into a funded government priority. Community Forest Rights: Funders exceeded a global pledge for Indigenous and local communities’ land rights, but only 7.2% of 2025 funding went directly to those groups—leaving a gap for forest communities, including in the Congo Basin. Pangolin Trafficking: Three suspects in Cameroon face charges after authorities seized more than 700 kilograms of pangolin scales. Investigators say the alleged trafficking network reaches across borders into the Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries.

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.