Yaounde” Cameroon – Government officials” researchers” and civil society leaders from West and Central Africa convened today in Yaounde to share experiences and assess the impact of recent reforms involving recognition of community-based property rights and devolution of management authority to indigenous and other local communities in forest regions. Cameroon has achieved significant progress” while other Central African countries are learning from Cameroon to herald similar progress in the near future.

The meeting was organized by the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI)” with CIFORand the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

The meeting sent a clear message: ignoring local community rights to forests and other natural resources perpetuates poverty” conflict” hastens degradation of environmental resources” and undermines economic growth. The meeting also helped forge better understanding and cooperation among different constituencies seeking to achieve sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

Read comments from community” civil society” and RRI Partner participants and more from the event on the CIFOR website here.