The third version of Cameroon’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP III) builds on the national efforts undertaken over the past two decades to ensure the sustainable management of biodiversity. This new version marks a decisive step, as it incorporates the environmental, economic, and social transformations of the past ten years, with a national vision aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the 2030 National Development Strategy (NDS30).
Indeed, despite significant progress made in the creation and management of protected areas, awareness-raising and institutional reform, Cameroon’s biodiversity remains under increasing pressure. These pressures are illustrated by habitat destruction such as deforestation, uncontrolled urbanisation, etc., the overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, the proliferation of invasive alien species, and the adverse effects of climate change. They result in a decrease in the supply of ecosystem services essential for food security, human health, and the well-being of populations. The sixth national report, prepared under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED) with technical and financial support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), highlighted the limitations of the implementation of the second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP II), including weak inter-sector integration, the absence of sustainable financing mechanisms, insufficient scientific data, and poor coordination among stakeholders. Furthermore, Cameroon conducted its national assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services in 2022. This assessment provides a comprehensive overview of biodiversity and ecosystem services at the national level. It offered a detailed picture of the state of ecosystems and their services, identified the drivers and trends of biodiversity loss, and highlighted gaps in knowledge and the availability of biodiversity information and data. Similarly, an analysis of governance and the impact of strategic development policies on biodiversity was conducted to envision effective and sustainable management of Cameroon’s rich biodiversity. Based on these findings, Cameroon has transformed its biodiversity management challenges into opportunities for action. This approach was implemented through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society strategy aimed at preserving the balance of ecosystems through sector integration, in line with the decentralisation process implemented by the Government in 2019. In this context, NBSAP III is structured around five strategic pillars, namely:
- reducing threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services,
- restoring degraded ecosystems and improving ecosystem services,
- developing and leveraging information and knowledge on biodiversity,
- governing biodiversity and ecosystem services, and
- mobilising resources for biodiversity financing.
Specifically, this involves intensifying efforts to combat deforestation, control pollution, and the spread of invasive alien species. It also emphasizes restoring the ecological health of degraded ecosystems and promoting the production and application of scientific knowledge, traditional knowledge, and know-how. This data and information are compiled through the National Biodiversity Information System (NBIS) and the Clearing House Mechanism (CHM). This strategy recognises the central role of regional and local authorities, civil society organisations, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), as well as women and young people, in the implementation and monitoring of actions. The aim is to create a conducive environment where consultation, transparency and accountability are operational principles, with clearly defined implementation mechanisms emphasising the need for diversified financial mobilisation. To this end, the national financing plan for the strategy aims, in addition to the allocated public resources, to promote innovative mechanisms such as Payments for Environmental Services (PES), biodiversity credits, debt-fornature swaps, public-private partnerships, green bonds and carbon finance. These instruments will complement multilateral funding, notably from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Adaptation Fund (AF), and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Implementation Fund (GBFF). At the institutional level, the coordination of NBSAP III is based on a multi-level architecture.MINEPDED, the competent national authority, assumes strategic responsibility, whilst sector administrations ensure technical implementation. The private and financial sectors, for their part, contribute to economic development and the mobilisation of resources for biodiversity. At the operational level, in addition to institutional actors, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), NGOs, women and young people, as well as religious groups, ensure that interventions are sustainably owned by the community.
A monitoring and surveillance plan, constituting the key element of the monitoring and evaluation system, has been developed. It combines operational monitoring by all stakeholders, sector monitoring by the administrations concerned, and strategic monitoring by MINEPDED. The indicators selected reflect the threefold ecological, economic and social dimensions of biodiversity. The efforts required will mark a strategic turning point for Cameroon and contribute to the building of a green and inclusive economy, where biodiversity will no longer be merely a natural heritage but a true pillar of development, by combining strengthened governance, sustainable financing mechanisms, active community participation and the cross-cutting integration of biodiversity into sector policies. Cameroon will thus accelerate its structural transformation towards an ecologically resilient, socially equitable and economically viable future.
