The renewal of the forest policy in Côte d’Ivoire has been a key step in the strengthening of the Ivorian enabling environment. With the recent publication of the policy, more clarity is provided on how the government intends to manage its forest reserves and work with the local population and industry. It has also kickstarted work to detail out the supporting legislative texts and operationalize the policy.
Forests face many threats: from poaching, bushfire, and sawmilling to illicit activities and other traffic. These immediately affect the forest cover, environment and the people dependent on them. In addition, the preservation and rehabilitation of forests has, for many decades, not always been a priority. However, this policy and the government’s demonstrated commitment to the Cocoa and Forests Initiative, show their understanding of the global stakes.
In the past year the government of Côte d’Ivoire has shown their willingness to rehabilitate and reclaim the forests. The Ivorian Government has adopted a new approach to reclaim and increase the national forest area, which they present in this policy: Forest Preservation, Rehabilitation and Expansion of the Ministry of Water and Forests is based on three pillars:
- The preservation of biodiversity;
- The maintenance of favorable climate for the development of socio-economical activities and support agricultural production;
- The respect of Côte d’Ivoire’s international commitments
The main innovation contained in this policy is that the government’s efforts for forest preservation, rehabilitation and expansion will be implemented with the implication and participation of the local communities and civil society. The policy will build on private-public partnerships for the implementation and financing of this ambitious policy. The Cocoa and Forest Initiative is excited about this new development and the progressive collaboration with the Ivorian government