Biodiversity Protection

 Buea Hosts Mega International Forest Conference
 By Eddy Bokuba in Buea

 Minister Ngole Philip facing the Press

Ngole Philip poses with Mayor's representative and participants

 The Cameroon Government under the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) was host last week of the 9th edition of the ''Mega Florestals'' International Conference. It was the first time that an African country was hosting the conference, we learnt.
    Mega Florestals, a derivation from Portuguese meaning great Forest countries, currently engages some 10 countries in the world including America, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, Canada, Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon and D.R Congo.
 The conference that took place at the historic Mountain Hotel in Buea, South West Region, from 4 to 9 May 2014, had as theme ''Forest in 300 years and action now to secure them.”

     In his keynote address at the opening, Ngole Philip Ngwese, minister of Forestry and Wildlife, thanked the head of State, Paul Biya for making it possible for Cameroon to host the 9th edition of Mega Florestals. He said his Ministry was privileged to host a conference of such magnitude that brings together the most powerful Forest countries and networks.
    Ngole Ngwese said that the conference was an opportunity for stakeholders in the Forestry sector from these nations to meet and discuss salient issues on biodiversity protection and its challenges. Cameroon with a surface area of 475,650 Sq. km. has some 22 million hectares of Forest, minister Ngole said, noting that the forest sector alone contributes about 4.6% of the National Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P) of Cameroon. 
    He said the Ministry is currently engaged in a plan known as the Green Eagle plan aimed at implanting credible ideas for sustainable management of the Forest.
    Also speaking during the opening ceremony, Andi White of Right and Resource Initiative, an N.G.O that co-organized the conference said the aim of the conference was to bring together top Public Forest Agency leaders with the view to advancing International dialogue and exchanges on Forest governance and the role of the Forest and its challenges in the 21st century. He said that Right and Resources Initiative confronts governments and peoples throughout the world to alleviate poverty.
    The Mega Florestals conference took place last year in Bali, Indonesia. It was brought to Africa this time was to enable stakeholders to understand issues, opportunities and the challenges faced by nations involved in Forest conservation.