On the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the Permanent Mission of the African Union hosted the launch of a joint OECD-OIF/IFDD report focusing on access to ecological financing. Addressing an international audience, Louise Pierrette Mvono, Gabon’s Minister of Planning and Foresight, delivered a compelling address, advocating for her nation and demanding a fundamental transformation of global aid mechanisms.
With an impressive 88% of its territory covered by forests and a historic standing as a net carbon sink, Gabon stands as a crucial pillar in global climate regulation. Yet, this status as a conservation leader is hindered by complex procedural and linguistic obstacles that impede access to essential funding.
Commending the scientific rigor of the presented report, Minister Mvono highlighted this paradox: the immense preservation efforts undertaken by her country necessitate predictable, equitable, and proportionate international financial solidarity in return, free from current bureaucratic delays.
National strategy already in motion
Far from passively awaiting a paradigm shift, Libreville is proactively forging its path. Ahead of presenting the country’s second Voluntary National Review to the United Nations, the Minister underscored the rigorous structure of Gabon’s transition.
The National Growth and Development Plan 2026-2030 already incorporates advanced tools, such as green bonds and carbon credits. The accreditation of Gabon’s Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) by the Green Climate Fund exemplifies this commitment to financial autonomy. Furthermore, in terms of innovation, the $60 million partnership established during COP16 in Cali (the “Country Package”) materializes an integrated approach, unifying climate action, biodiversity conservation, and local development initiatives.
Three levers to unlock the future
To finally translate global pledges into tangible local impacts, Minister Mvono proposed three crucial directions to funders. These include supporting local institutions by valuing direct accreditations for national entities, thereby reducing reliance on international intermediaries; ensuring long-term expertise by financing continuous training programs to locally design bankable ecological projects; and monetizing natural capital through the establishment of rigorous payment mechanisms for ecosystem services and integrated carbon markets, which are essential for recognizing the systemic value of tropical forests.
Through this pragmatic appeal, Gabon reiterates that the preservation of our planet hinges on the capacity of wealthier nations to simplify and accelerate funding for countries at the forefront of conservation efforts.