The fifth ordinary session of the Steering Committee (COPIL) of the Impact Program for the Integrated Management of Cameroon’s Forest Landscapes in the Congo Basin was successfully held on August 18–19, 2026, at the Welcome Garden’s Hotel in Soa. Chaired by the Minister of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED) , H.E Hele Pierre, this strategic meeting provided an opportunity to review project progress and validate the orientations for the coming year.

In accordance with Decision No. 00004/D/MINEPDED/DN-IP of January 31, 2022, establishing the organization and functioning of the Technical Steering Committee, this annual session brings together all project stakeholders. Which included statutory members, ministerial partners representatives, local authorities, civil society organizations, technical partners, guests and resource persons.

The session’s proceedings featured the presentation and review of the technical and financial report on activities implemented during the project’s fourth year, along with the results and impacts achieved since the project’s inception. COPIL members also assessed the level of implementation of activities outlined in the Annual Work Plan and Budget (PTBA) 4, validated during the previous session. The PTBA 5  to set the technical, financial and institutional guidelines for the coming year was also presented and validated.

At the close of deliberations, the set objectives were  met: the fourth-year annual implementation report and PTBA 5 were both adopted and validated by the COPIL members present, reflecting the quality of the work accomplished and the strong consensus among all stakeholders.

The session also reaffirmed the partners’ commitment to continuing program implementation through an inclusive and integrated approach that ensures the effective participation and empowerment of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).

Building on this success, the Impact Program for the Integrated Management of Cameroon’s Forest Landscapes in the Congo Basin continues its momentum, with the ambition to durably transform forest landscape governance and concretely improve the living conditions of local communities. The next steps will involve implementing the validated PTBA 5, under the careful oversight of the Technical Steering Committee and the coordination of the Project Management Unit.