Kinshasa — The ministers involved in promoting the Mayombe Cross-border Initiative reiterated Wednesday in Kinshasa (D R Congo) the need for a strategic plan on knowledge of the biodiversity and socio-economic dynamics resulting from the enforcement of the law and impacts of climatic changes, through research and bio-monitoring.

The decision followed a meeting of the ministers of Environment of Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo Brazzaville, held from February 12-13 in Kinshasa, in line with the articles 7 and 10 of the Mayombe Initiative.

The three central African countries comprising the Mayombe Cross-border Committee welcomed the adhesion of Gabon to the initiative.

The first meeting of the Mayombe Cross-border Initiative took place in Kinshasa from 16-17 April 2009, intended to create a protected cross-border area, a bio-sphere reserve in Central Africa, and a concert forum.

The Angolan delegation to the meeting was headed by the minister of Environment, Fátima Jardim.