AGP Executive Report

Congo Basin climate research: A forum in Nairobi urged stronger Africa-led research to protect the Congo Basin’s tropical forests, warning that deforestation, land degradation, unsustainable resource use and climate change are mounting threats. Biodiversity early warning: Scientists unveiled a global early warning system that can forecast up to nine months ahead where vertebrates may face unprecedented heat exposure—aimed at making conservation more predictive. Wildlife monitoring tech: Researchers highlighted how collecting DNA from the wild (eDNA) can detect species with less disturbance, supporting biodiversity protection in Central Africa’s forest landscapes. Heat and species risk: The same push for better forecasting is tied to growing extreme-heat impacts on wildlife, with new tools designed to anticipate ecological harm before it shows up on the ground. Urban nature pressure: A study on frog communities shows how urbanisation can replace habitat specialists with disturbance-tolerant generalists—another warning for biodiversity under rapid land change. Food and farming finance: A summit preview put Africa’s agricultural financing gap at $100B+ a year, stressing that water systems and long-term infrastructure are needed for sustainable investment to actually scale.

Congo Basin Climate Research: A high-level forum in Nairobi urged bigger investment in Africa-led research to better manage Central African forests, warning that deforestation, land degradation, and climate change are accelerating threats to the region’s biodiversity and climate role. Biodiversity Early Warning: Scientists unveiled a global early warning system that can forecast extreme heat exposure for vertebrate species up to nine months ahead, aiming to make conservation more predictive as heat risks intensify. Wildlife Monitoring Upgrade: New work highlights how collecting DNA from the wild (eDNA) can reduce disturbance during surveys and improve protection of endangered species in rugged habitats. Forest Carbon Measurement: Ground-based laser scanning (LiDAR) is being tested to improve estimates of carbon stored in reforestation—though experts stress transparency matters most for carbon credits. Blue Economy & Coastal Livelihoods: Ocean-focused discussions in Kenya spotlight women in fisheries, saying development and new coastal projects can push them off traditional landing sites. Energy & Pollution Watch: A World Bank report flags gas flaring at a six-year high, calling it a massive waste that also undermines cleaner energy progress.

Gas Flaring & Power Access: The World Bank reports global gas flaring hit 167 billion cubic metres in 2025, the highest since 2019, with Africa wasting a resource that could power homes and industry—while electricity shortages keep holding back jobs and growth. Congo Basin Forests: A landmark assessment warns the next decade will decide the fate of the world’s biggest tropical forest carbon sink, putting Congo Basin protection and climate action in the spotlight. Wildlife Monitoring Tech: Researchers are using environmental DNA (eDNA) to track endangered species with less disturbance, aiming to strengthen biodiversity protection as climate pressure and population growth rise. Carbon Measurement Scrutiny: Ground-based LiDAR can improve forest carbon estimates for reforestation and carbon credits, but experts stress transparency is still the biggest weakness in carbon markets. Ocean Pollution (Sargassum): Record sargassum blooms are linked to nutrient runoff from major rivers, including the Congo, raising costs and risks for coastal communities. Local Green Livelihoods: A story highlights women in fisheries across Africa pushing back against displacement from traditional landing sites as coastal development accelerates. Congo in the Spotlight: Congo’s World Cup run continues to draw attention, including a win that sends them into the knockout stage.

Ebola Alert in Europe: France reported its first Ebola case in a doctor returning from Congo, with isolation and contact tracing underway and officials saying the risk to the general public is low. Congo Basin Science: The Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB) officially presented its 2025 Congo Basin Assessment Report in Brazzaville, aiming to close knowledge gaps and guide policy for the Basin’s climate regulation and biodiversity under mounting pressures. Digital Access for Green Growth: A GSMA report says the Republic of Congo can unlock about $1.4bn more value by boosting mobile internet use—currently 4G coverage is high but only a small share of people use mobile data—through reforms that could also support broader development. Wildlife Monitoring Upgrade: Rwanda’s use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect species with less disturbance shows a promising model for biodiversity protection across the region. Climate Modeling Gap: A climate desk piece warns major models still miss key ecosystem-driven warming feedbacks, leaving uncertainty in how much extra carbon ecosystems may release. Carbon Measurement Debate: Ground-based LiDAR could improve forest carbon estimates for reforestation and credits, but experts stress transparency matters most for trust. Ocean Pressure & Sargassum: A report links record sargassum blooms to nutrient runoff across the Atlantic, including from the Congo basin, highlighting how land and water pressures travel to coasts. Gas Flaring Reality Check: The World Bank reports global gas flaring hit a six-year high in 2025, wasting energy Africa needs—an environmental and energy-security problem for oil producers including the Republic of Congo.

Biodiversity Tech for the Congo Basin: Researchers are using environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect wildlife from genetic traces in soil and water, aiming to cut disturbance during surveys and build stronger species lists as climate pressure grows. Congo Basin Climate Warning: A landmark 2025 Congo Basin Assessment Report was presented in Brazzaville, stressing the Basin’s role as a major tropical carbon sink and the urgent need for better science and investment to protect ecosystems. Digital Access in the Republic of Congo: A GSMA report says the country has strong 4G coverage but a big usage gap; policy and regulatory reforms could unlock about $1.4bn in added value, create jobs, and connect hundreds of thousands more people to mobile internet by 2030. Ebola and Public Health Risk: Congo’s Ebola situation remains a concern for regional health systems, with new cases reported abroad tied to a doctor returning from Congo and ongoing isolation and contact tracing. Marine Pollution Link to Congo: Record sargassum blooms in the Atlantic are being linked to nutrient runoff from major rivers, including the Congo, raising pressure on watershed and land-use management.

Congo Basin Science & Policy: The Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB) presented the 2025 Congo Basin Assessment Report in Brazzaville, underscoring the Basin’s role as a major tropical carbon sink and flagging mounting pressures—aimed at closing knowledge gaps and guiding evidence-based action. Digital Use Gap: A GSMA report unveiled at the Digital Africa Summit in Brazzaville says the Republic of Congo has 4G coverage for 86% of people, but only 19% use mobile internet; reforms could unlock FCFA 870 billion in added value, create 144,000+ jobs, and connect 540,000 more people by 2030. Gas Flaring Reality Check: New World Bank figures show global gas flaring hit 167 bcm in 2025 and that a small set of countries drives most flaring; for Africa, the report highlights wasted gas alongside weak electricity access, including ongoing flaring in oil producers such as the Republic of Congo. Ecosystem & Health Watch: Experts warn climate change is reshaping disease-carrying insects and tick risks, while a separate Ebola update notes a doctor returning from Congo tested positive in France—raising the stakes for preparedness and surveillance. Fisheries Cooperation: The Mombasa Declaration was adopted to boost fisheries transparency and fight illegal fishing, with the Republic of Congo among the African signatories.

Congo Basin Science: The UN-backed Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB) presented its 2025 Congo Basin Assessment Report in Brazzaville, laying out the latest findings on the Basin’s ecosystems, pressures, and resilience—aimed at guiding policy and investment for the world’s biggest tropical forest carbon sink. Digital Growth Gap: A new GSMA report says the Republic of Congo has strong 4G coverage (86%) but a huge usage gap (only 19% use mobile internet). It argues targeted policy and regulatory reforms could unlock FCFA 870 billion in extra value, create 144,000+ jobs, and connect 540,000 more people to mobile internet by 2030. Carbon Measurement Debate: A study highlights how ground-based LiDAR laser scanning could improve forest carbon estimates for reforestation and carbon credits, while warning that transparency—not just measurement accuracy—remains the market’s biggest weak spot. Fisheries Cooperation: Countries including the Republic of Congo signed the Mombasa Declaration to boost fisheries transparency and fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing through shared rules and vessel information. Health Alert: France reported its first Ebola case linked to a doctor returning from Congo, with isolation and contact tracing underway.

Congo Basin Climate Science: The Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB) presented its 2025 Congo Basin Assessment Report in Brazzaville, warning that the next decade will shape the fate of the world’s biggest tropical forest carbon sink and its ecosystems. Forest Carbon Integrity: New ground-based LiDAR laser scanning could improve forest carbon estimates for reforestation and carbon credits, but experts stress transparency is still the biggest weak spot in carbon markets. Ebola Watch: France reported its first Ebola case in a doctor returning from Congo; the patient is isolated and authorities are tracing contacts, as the outbreak continues to strain health systems. Digital Access in Congo: A GSMA report says the Republic of Congo has 4G coverage for 86% of people, yet only 19% use mobile internet—policy and regulatory fixes could unlock FCFA 870 billion in value and connect hundreds of thousands more by 2030. Ocean & Fisheries Cooperation: The Our Ocean Conference in Kenya ended with $6.4 billion in pledges, while the Mombasa Declaration added more African signatories (including the Republic of Congo) to push back against illegal fishing. Gas Flaring Pressure: The World Bank’s tracker shows global gas flaring hit a six-year high in 2025, with Africa’s wasted gas undermining electricity access and energy security.

Congo Basin Science: The Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB) officially presented its 2025 Congo Basin Assessment Report in Brazzaville, aiming to close long-standing knowledge gaps and guide policy for the region’s ecosystems, climate regulation and biodiversity pressures. Digital Economy & Access: A new GSMA report says the Republic of Congo has 4G coverage for 86% of people, but only 19% use mobile internet; targeted policy and regulatory reforms could unlock FCFA 870 billion in extra value, create 144,000+ jobs, and connect 540,000 more people to mobile internet by 2030. Ebola Watch: France reported its first Ebola case in a doctor returning from Congo; the patient is isolated and contact tracing is underway, with officials saying the risk to the general population is low. Ocean Commitments: At Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference, Africa-focused pledges totaled $6.4 billion for marine protected areas, fisheries monitoring and climate finance, with experts urging stronger follow-through on existing protections. Fisheries Integrity: The Mombasa Declaration was adopted by multiple African states, including the Republic of Congo, to boost fisheries transparency and fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through shared rules and vessel information. Gas Flaring Reality Check: The World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Tracker reports global flaring hit 167 bcm in 2025; it highlights how wasted associated gas undermines energy access and calls for capturing it instead of burning it.

Congo Basin Climate Science: The Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB) has officially presented its 2025 Congo Basin Assessment Report in Brazzaville, offering a major new look at the Basin’s ecosystems, pressures, and resilience—key for climate regulation and biodiversity planning. Freshwater Reality Check: A new ranking on freshwater per person places the Republic of Congo among the top countries globally, underlining how water availability can shape development and conservation priorities. Regional Fisheries Cooperation: The Mombasa Declaration was adopted by multiple countries, including the Republic of the Congo, to boost fisheries transparency and crack down on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through shared rules and vessel information. Health & Climate Links: A broader report on climate-driven spread of disease-carrying insects highlights how warming and shifting ecosystems can expand risks—relevant for Congo’s public health planning as weather patterns change. Ecosystem Restoration Signals: A separate restoration project in the Congo Basin is highlighted through a wider nature-based restoration push, pointing to growing interest in large-scale rainforest recovery and carbon-linked conservation.

Congo Basin Science: A new 2025 Congo Basin Assessment Report was officially presented in Brazzaville, offering the most comprehensive scientific look yet at the Basin’s ecosystems, pressures, and resilience—key for climate and biodiversity planning. Rainforest Restoration: A French-backed project with Congo Basin experience signed an agreement to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in the Philippines’ Samar region, using planting plus assisted natural regeneration and ranger support—an approach that signals how restoration and carbon finance are being packaged. Ebola Watch: A doctor returning from Congo tested positive for Ebola in France, with isolation and contact tracing underway—another reminder of how outbreaks can spill across borders. Water & Fisheries Cooperation: Fifteen countries adopted the Mombasa Declaration to share fisheries data and fight illegal fishing; the Republic of the Congo is among the signers. Freshwater Spotlight: A new ranking puts the Republic of the Congo among the top countries for freshwater per person, underlining both opportunity and the need to protect water security. Sargassum Crisis (Regional Climate Link): Officials in South Florida are searching for solutions to record sargassum seaweed washups, with the Congo named among river systems that can feed nutrient-driven blooms.

Ebola Watch: A doctor returning from a humanitarian mission in Congo tested positive for Ebola in France, with isolation and contact tracing underway as authorities say the risk to the general public is low. Rainforest Restoration: A French-backed project signed with the Philippines’ environment department aims to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in Samar, using planting plus assisted natural regeneration and ranger support—an approach that echoes Congo Basin restoration needs. Freshwater Spotlight (Congo): A new ranking on freshwater per person puts the Republic of the Congo among the top four globally, underscoring both opportunity and the need to protect water quality and access. Anti–Illegal Fishing Push: The Mombasa Declaration was adopted by multiple countries, including the Republic of the Congo, to share fisheries data and strengthen action against IUU fishing. Climate & Health Risks: New reporting highlights how climate change is driving the spread of disease-carrying insects, raising concern for tick- and mosquito-borne outbreaks. Digital Growth (Congo): A GSMA report says targeted policy reforms could unlock FCFA 870 billion in value for the Republic of Congo by 2030, with wider mobile internet access—relevant for environmental monitoring and service delivery.

Ebola Response in Congo: A doctor returning from a humanitarian mission in Congo tested positive for Ebola in France, with authorities isolating the patient and tracing contacts as the outbreak in Congo continues to surge. Public Health Pressure: Another report describes how Congo’s Ebola crisis is worsening amid attacks on treatment centers and shortages of masks and boots, leaving communities exposed. Water Security & Climate Resilience: A UNESCO Chair and water governance expert highlights how water insecurity remains a major challenge across Africa, tying weak access to health and resilience needs. Freshwater Snapshot for Congo: A new ranking on freshwater per person places the Republic of the Congo among the top countries globally for renewable water availability, underscoring both opportunity and the need for smart management. Fisheries Crackdown: Fifteen countries adopted the Mombasa Declaration to share fisheries data and fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, with Congo among the signatories. Digital Growth Link: A GSMA report says targeted policy reforms could unlock major economic value for the Republic of Congo by 2030, while noting a big gap between mobile network coverage and actual mobile internet use.

Oil & Jobs Watch: Azule Energy and partners announced the Final Investment Decision for Angola’s “Greater Paj” oil project, a $5.1B Lower Congo Basin development slated to start in 2029 and produce about 95,000 barrels/day, with promises of jobs and training. Illegal Fishing Crackdown: 15 countries adopted the Mombasa Declaration to boost fisheries transparency and coordinate action against IUU fishing, with Congo among the African signatories. Water Security (Congo in focus): A new freshwater-per-person ranking puts the Republic of Congo among the top countries globally for renewable freshwater availability. Climate & Health Risks: New reporting highlights how climate change is shifting where disease-carrying insects can thrive, raising concern for mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses. Rainforest Day 2026: World Rainforest Day marks its 10th anniversary, pushing protection of tropical forests that store carbon, cool the planet, and support biodiversity. Digital Push: A GSMA report says targeted reforms could unlock FCFA 870B in value for the Republic of Congo by 2030, linking connectivity to broader development goals. Ebola on the ground: Eastern Congo mourns a sixth-month-old girl, the third Ebola death from an orphanage this week, as treatment resources run short amid ongoing strain.

Freshwater & water security: A new ranking of renewable freshwater per person puts the Republic of the Congo among the world’s top water-rich countries, underscoring how vital rivers, lakes, and groundwater are for people and ecosystems. Illegal fishing crackdown: Fifteen countries including the Republic of the Congo adopted the Mombasa Declaration to boost fisheries transparency and share vessel data to fight IUU fishing. Climate-linked disease risk: New reporting warns that climate change is shifting where disease-carrying mosquitoes and ticks can survive and spread, raising health pressure across regions. Ebola impacts in Congo: A report highlights how the ongoing Ebola crisis is hitting communities hard, with treatment disruptions and shortages worsening vulnerability. Rainforest spotlight: World Rainforest Day returns with a “Forest Within You” theme, calling attention to rainforests’ role in climate regulation and biodiversity—especially relevant for Congo Basin protection. Food security pressure: UN food agencies warn acute hunger will worsen in multiple hotspots, including Congo, as conflict and climate shocks strain livelihoods.

World Rainforest Day 2026: June 22 marked the 10th anniversary of World Rainforest Day, with a focus on how tropical forests regulate climate, support biodiversity, and sustain livelihoods—especially in places like the Congo where deforestation and fires keep threatening the “lungs of the planet.” Ebola in eastern Congo: A six-month-old girl died of Ebola in an orphanage, underscoring how the outbreak is still ripping through communities as treatment capacity and supplies run short. Fisheries transparency push (Mombasa Declaration): Fifteen governments adopted the Mombasa Declaration at the Our Ocean Conference, backing better vessel data sharing and stronger action against illegal fishing—explicitly including the Republic of Congo. Food crisis warning: UN food agencies warned acute hunger will worsen across 13 hotspots, with Congo listed among the countries facing rising famine risk amid conflict, funding cuts, and climate shocks. Heat threat to wildlife: A new study highlights a near-term warning approach for heat waves that could endanger tens of thousands of vertebrate species, aiming to help protect wildlife before extreme temperatures hit.