Speech at launch of Congo Basin Forest Fund

Prime Minister,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

The Congo Basin Rainforest is a treasure. A treasure because of its unique and rich biodiversity. A treasure because it captures and stores enormous amounts of carbon. And a treasure because it safeguards the health of our planet.

We have a shared responsibility to preserve and protect this treasure for future generations. Preserving the tropical forests of the world is essential for protecting the climate.

One fifth of the global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by deforestation and forest degradation. The Congo Basin forests alone may contain over 90 billion tonnes of CO2. Roughly the same as of two years of global emissions at the current rate.

Combating climate change will be challenging. Under any circumstances and in any scenario. And without reducing emissions from deforestation it will be virtually impossible.

However, if we get it right, the emissions can be reduced drastically. In a fairly short time. At an acceptable price. And the technology is well known. We all know how not to cut down a tree.

Climate change and poverty are the two main challenges of our time. We can not choose between environment and development. They can and must be addressed together. That is what sustainable development is all about.

The Norwegian Government has decided to make the fight against deforestation one of its main priorities. We are prepared to increase our support for the prevention of deforestation in developing countries to around 300 million pounds a year.

The Congo Basin Forest Fund will be one of the first projects to receive funding under the new Norwegian programme.

Developed countries must provide technical and financial support for the preservation of forests. Multilateral institutions must help build capacity and support implementation. However, it is the governments of the rainforest countries that must be in the driving seat. They must put in place an efficient national policy.  

For us, as a donor, the regional and national ownership of the countries in the Congo Basin is of key importance.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
At Bali, we agreed on guidelines for demonstration activities to prevent deforestation.  That was an important first step. Several international initiatives to limit deforestation are in progress.

In order to succeed in combating global deforestation I believe two aspects are crucial:

Firstly, we need a coordinated international effort.

Secondly, we must develop international standards for measuring forest carbon stocks. And for monitoring and verifying changes in forest density.

Deforestation and forest degradation must be part of the new agreement to be concluded in Copenhagen next year.

A way must be found to place a value on tropical forests. A value that adequately reflects the public good they represent. A public good we all share a responsibility to protect. And the developed countries must shoulder the main financial burden.

In this regard, the Congo Basin Forest Fund is a very important initiative. I am proud to announce that Norway intends to contribute 50 million pounds to the Fund over the next three years.

The Fund represents an important step towards what we hope will be a massive transfer of resources to save the world’s remaining tropical forests.

I am confident that we will see deforestation in the region substantially reduced in the years to come.

And I am confident that we will be able to preserve the treasure of the Congo Basin Rainforest for future generations.