DAVOS (BG) – The Democratic Republic of Congo’s President, Félix Tshisekedi, on Wednesday announced the creation of the world’s largest protected tropical forest reserve, the “Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor,” during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The announcement has received widespread praise from Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum. He commended President Tshisekedi’s dedication to integrating peace, sustainable development, and nature conservation.
The initiative is a critical step in addressing the escalating climate crisis.
The Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor, or the “Congo River Reserve,” will stretch over 2,400 kilometers (1500 miles).
According to the Congolese president, it will link Virunga National Park in the country’s east to the Congo River to Kinshasa.
It aims to protect tropical forests and preserve extraordinary biodiversity while improving the livelihoods of millions of Congolese citizens.
Tshisekedi stressed the global importance of preserving the Congo Basin, home to 60% of the forest within DR Congo.
“The deforestation of the Congo Basin endangers all of humanity. Preserving the Basin will ensure that the goals of the Paris Agreement remain achievable while laying the foundation for a new future for the Congolese people, characterized by unity, stability, and prosperity,” he said.
‘A Huge Idea’
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry emphasized the significance of the project, calling it “a huge idea.”
He highlighted its potential to transform lives, create jobs, and provide a critical carbon sink that aligns with global climate goals.
Kerry added that this project could help reduce violence in the region by offering opportunities to young people.
“This is a way to pull people away from the violence, to give young people an alternative, to find jobs that will be produced,” he noted.
He further stressed the importance of swift action, saying, “There’s nothing worse than announcing something big and five years later nothing has happened. We have to all agree that is not going to be what happens here.”
The Congo Basin, shared by six countries—Cameroon, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon—contains vast stretches of intact tropical forest and peatlands.
The Basin is a critical carbon sink, essential for mitigating climate change.
A Bold Vision for the Future
President Tshisekedi described the reserve as “historic” and “unprecedented,” emphasizing its dual focus on environmental preservation and economic development.
“This extraordinary community reserve will stretch over 2,400 kilometers, linking the Virunga National Park at the far east of the country, the vast forests of Ituri, and the Congo River from Kisangani to Kinshasa,” he explained.
Per his current role in the private sector, Kerry promised continued collaboration to ensure the project’s success.
“We have the power, we have the opportunity to change history,” he said, urging public and private sector cooperation.
A Call to Action
The project aligns with the global push to meet environmental targets outlined in the Paris Agreement.
It also serves as a model for how sustainable development can coexist with conservation efforts.
By harnessing the Congo’s natural resources responsibly, the initiative aims to generate long-term benefits for local populations while addressing global environmental challenges.
The successful implementation of the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor will require coordinated efforts, funding, and monitoring to meet its goals.
As Kerry noted, “We’re going to use all of our leadership and wisdom to put together something that changes lives for the better and sets an example for the rest of the planet.”
