introductionmountain gorilla of the congo basin, seeing as its habitat is the forest. background...

Malaysian Model United Nations

MYMUN Research Report | of 6

Forum: Advisory Panel on the Question of the Congo Basin

Issue: The issue of protecting endangered species

Student Officer: Samuel Ng

Position: Co-president of the Advisory Panel on the Question of the Congo

Basin

Introduction

Ever since the threats of demand for resources and illegal wildlife, trade has become negatively

significant to wildlife. Species have become vulnerable to their classification of endangerment or

extinction. Particularly, the Congo Basin, an area comprising of forests, rivers, swamps, and forests

spread across six countries suffers from the endangerment of animal species, this being a threat to its

existence. To combat this danger, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has launched combatting efforts

against these hazards through a combination of methods. However, with bushmeat being the primary

source of income for rural families in the area, this proves to be a challenge for the WWF.

Definition of Key Terms

Endangered Species

A species of plant or animal seriously at risk of or that is likely to become extinct. According to the

WWF, there are three degrees of endangerment: Vulnerable, Endangered, and Critically

Endangered (in order of increasing severity). In the Congo Basin, certain species of the elephant,

chimpanzee, and gorilla are classified as endangered species.

Extinction

Extinction is defined as the state of a species in which no living members exist. Endangered

species are in danger of being classified as extinct.

Illegal Wildlife Trade

The leading cause of wildlife loss in the Congo Basin, this threat is caused by the ever-growing

commercial bushmeat trade market, which sees the species in the Congo Basin empty at an

alarming rate because of the hunting of animals in the area.



Deforestation

Deforestation is defined as the clearing of trees in an area. This threat especially affects the

mountain gorilla of the Congo Basin, seeing as its habitat is the forest.

Background Information

The Congo Basin comprises of one of the most important areas of wilderness existing in our

world today. Spanning across 6 countries, it is home to the various species of gorillas, the chimpanzee,

the bonobo and elephants. Habitat to over 2,000 species of animals, it contains its fair share of

endangered species, some specific examples being the forest elephant, the pygmy chimpanzee, and the

cross river gorilla. The two main causes of the endangerment of species in the Congo Basin area are

deforestation and illegal wildlife trading. For example, the commercial bushmeat trade is a huge income

earner for rural families and its rampant growth is showing its effects as the species of the Congo Basin

start to empty.

Key issues

Deforestation

The threat of deforestation stems from the demand for fuelwood and charcoal. The desire for such

resources has led to deforestation in Virunga National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Africa.

Furthermore, the prevalence of refugees from armed

conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

and the necessity for them to live off the land has

caused a serious and critical impact to forests and

wildlife. Lastly, the existence of commercial agriculture

operations such as palm oil plantations is a threat that

puts pressure on Congo's forests.

Illegal wildlife trade

The leading cause of wildlife loss in the Congo Basin is the illegal wildlife trade, as this

threat exists because of the ever-growing market for bushmeat. This threatens animals like

monkeys, antelopes, and certain species of gorillas and bonobos. Combatting the

commercial bushmeat business is challenging for a few reasons. One, because of the fact that

the only export that will provide a gain for the DRC's many rural families is bushmeat.

Secondly, the enormous worldwide demand for ivory is continually leading to the killing of

elephants and the extinction of specific species.

Combatting efforts

Caption #1: Women carrying fuelwood in Virunga National Park



To fight the key issue prevalent to the issue of species in the Congo Basin, the WWF has

developed a number of combatting methods in an effort to extend the existence of animal species.

Empowering local communities

Through developing gorilla based tourism in the Congo Basin area, the WWF has

generated an income stream for the local communities, offering an alternative income source to

illegal wildlife trade. Also, the WWF has introduced local farmers in the DRC to new and

innovative agricultural methods and types of crops that prevent them from intruding on forests,

which can destroy a natural habitat.

Creating sustainable practices

The WWF works to create sustainable methods of extracting natural resources so that its

negative impact to forests and wildlife are minimized. To balance a high demand for firewood and

a low supply of it, the WWF has participated in a tree plantation program in the DRC. Through

this program, over 10 million trees have been planted to preserve the mountain gorilla habitat

and meet the needs of local people. Furthermore, the WWF is working towards Forest

Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for all Congo Basin forests. This certification reflects

good forest management. Lastly, the WWF is also working towards implementing low-impact

logging methods in the area.

Timeline of Events

Date Description of event

April 29, 1961

The World Wide Fund For Nature (or World Wildlife Fund) (WWF) is founded. Its

purpose is to collaborate with other existing conversation groups to support the

worldwide conservation movement.

March 17, 1999

The Yaounde Forest Summit is held in Cameroon. Six African heads of state

agreed and planned to create 12 million acres of forest-protected areas in theC

Congo Basin.

August 12, 2003

The United States proposes its intent to invest up to $53 million in the Congo

Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). It is later confirmed that the United States did

invest this amount of money in the business.

October 04, 2012 The arrest of Symphorien Sangha, one of Central Africa's most notorious ivory

smugglers and poacher takes place. His arrest sparks congratulations from the

WWF, praising the Cameroonian government for taking the issue of illegal



poaching and wildlife trade seriously.

UN Involvement, Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events

The United Nations (UN) has been actively involved in sponsoring efforts against wildlife crime in

the Congo Basin. The Congo Basin is among the many countries that the UN has committed to ramping

up efforts collectively to end the global poaching culture. The following are UN resolutions that deal with

the issue of endangered animal species in the Congo Basin:

• Central African Republic, 28 January 2014 (S/RES/2134)

• Democratic Republic of Congo, 30 January 2014 (S/RES/2136)

• Tackling the Illicit Trafficking in Wildlife, 30 July 2015 (A/RES/69/314)

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