DRC NDF  2021 ,General Assembly

1. Introduction

The DRCNDF Assembly General Meeting 2021 was organized in 2 different places because of the recurrent insecurity in the region and the Covid 19. That in Bunia city on July 15 and in Butembo on July 28, 2021.  Starting at 8h00 a.m.  and ending 16h00 p.m. in both places, the Assembly General Meeting was chaired by the Chairperson, KAKULE KATUNGU Therese.

This important activity was supported by the NBD which refunded expenses to the DRCNDF.

2. Participants

Participants to the 2021 Assembly General Meeting, were 66 delegates representing member organizations of the DRCNDF, civil society actors representatives of the Congolese State and others as indicated in the attendance list of Bunia and that of Butembo in the annex.

3. Official opening

Being in the military government in the 2 provinces of Congolese Nile Basin (ITURI and North-KIVU), the AGM was officially opened the local authority of Bunia city, represented by the Chief of the LUMUMBA quarter, Mr. Richard MUGENYI, and that of Butembo city represented by the Chief of the VUTETSE quarter, Mr. MWENGE KATABEYI. The Two authorities reassured participants of safety during the meeting

4. Presentation on the role of trees in environmental stabilization

The presenter of this importance topic is Mr. FATAKI BALOTI, a local environmentalist. This environmentalist introduced his presentation with the expression: “what has been is no longer what is”. He proceeded by defining the key concepts: the tree, the environment, the ecology, the ecosystem, the atmosphere and the individual.

He reminded participants of the roles of each part of the tree including:

  • The leaves which play a role in the renewal of oxygen and the absorption of CO2 for the respiration of living beings and the protection of the ozone layer. So, the leaves do photosynthesis which allows us to breathe a fresh air because it is already transformed.
  • The trunk of the tree: used for making furniture, construction, firewood, embers, etc.
  • The roots which play a role in the filtration of water to the aquifer and the retention of water in the fight against erosion. In addition, leguminous trees fix atmospheric nitrogen, hence their importance in soil fertilization.

At the end of the question-and-answer game, Mr. FATAKI BALOTI concluded his presentation with a relevant piece of advice: “You need a good tree in a good soil for a good person”.

5. Some of Resolutions taken at the end of the Assembly General

Resolution 2: After the presentation on the role of trees in environmental stabilization, we were encouraged to act as thinkers and designers, but not followers. This will allow us to have a good tree, in a good soil for a good person. The DRCNDF will have to produce an awareness document in the form of brochure or leaflets translated into various local languages ​​on the role of trees in environmental stabilization and organize radio broadcasts on the role of trees but also identify and support initiatives of entrepreneurs who invest in forestry

Resolution 3: Establish a mechanism to support companies and associations working in the field of the environment. There is a need for good information, education and communication about the tree.

Resolution 4: In this revitalization, the DRCNDF is determined to continue the process of signing the framework cooperation agreement and lobby the authorities to facilitate the signing of this agreement by the DRC. The participants from Bunia and Butembo at the Assembly General insisted on knowing the real problem which blocked the signature because this agreement is a capital element which will help us to establish a new strategy for the development of our NDF. These participants expressed the wish to choose the competent people who could be part of the delegation for a good advocacy with the authorities of the country. This delegation will go to Kinshasa to work with the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development and negotiate the signing of this Framework Cooperation Agreement.

Resolution 5: Make the agreement and the memo available to the members for a good evolution of the advocacy.

Resolution 6: Revitalize regular contact with the Ministry of the Environment, design a program for good conservation and management of the environment.

Resolution 7:

  • Map the Congolese Nile Basin in order to highlight the different areas according to their diversity, environmental and human problems or threats (Erosion, flood, drought, deforestation, overpopulation, poaching, illegal fishing, etc.), tourist sites like the parks and nature reserves, the different rivers and lakes of the Basin; and
  • Establish the Sub-coordinations in the capital of the provinces for politico-administrative lobbying.

Resolution 8: Continue to revitalize research units in the Nile basin by members of the DRCNDF working in the field of research;