An international conference

This first edition was a remarkable success, both in terms of the scale of participation and the diversity of expertise mobilised. 
 

More than 250 participants, representing over ten nationalities, took part in the discussions.
The conference featured the presentation of 137 scientific posters and 45 research projects, structured around six thematic observatories: climate and meteorology, hydrology and continental waters, vegetation, soils and biogeochemistry, biodiversity, and land use and socio-ecology. 
 

Television report : TV CONGO

Alongside the 22 Congo Basin Futures scholarship doctoral students, four doctoral students from the One Forest Vision (OFVi) initiative actively participated in the conference, fostering concrete links between the two initiatives.

One Forest Vision fully mobilised

Throughout the conference, One Forest Vision was heavily involved in scientific and institutional discussions.

On the first day, Florence Palla, Chair of the OFVi Scientific Council, presented the conclusions of the Belém Appeal, reiterating the importance of collective, structured and sustainably funded science in order to meet the challenges facing the Congo Basin.

During the panel discussion on synergies between initiatives, Jean-Jacques Braun, OFVi correspondent for Gabon/DRC (IRD), presented One Forest Vision as a unifying initiative at the crossroads of field research, training for young scientists and regional cooperation.

The conference also provided an opportunity to highlight the new generation of OFVi researchers: Emmafie Jinelle Bonda, an OFVi doctoral student in Congo, presented her thesis project in a poster session, representing all OFVi doctoral students.

OVFi/CBSI synergy focus on doctoral students: ‘two-voice’ interviews

During the conference, the OFVi and CBSI communications teams launched a new format for promoting scientific research: joint interviews with CBSI and OFVi doctoral students on common research topics.

These discussions focused on three main scientific areas:

1/ Climate, human activities and forest-savannah dynamics

→ Sam Mahoungou Styven (CBSI) & Frejusse Fourier MIASSOUKA MILANDOU (OFVi)

2/ Biocultural diversity, indigenous knowledge and transmission

→ emmafie BONDA (OFVi) & Manuella Nathanaël DEBI WANDO (CBSI)
3/ Carbon stocks, ecosystem services and land use

→ Lebon AGANZE BADESIRE (CBSI) & Grâce BOBANGUI (OFVi)

These videos aim to bring together scientific perspectives, encourage future collaborations and give a voice to a new generation of researchers committed to the Congo Basin. They will soon be broadcast on the CBSI × One Forest Vision communication channels.

On the sidelines of the CBSI annual conference, a meeting dedicated to scientific communication brought together doctoral students from the OFVi and CBSI initiatives. This exchange provided an opportunity to discuss communication issues for young researchers and share practical advice on how to better promote their work: structuring a clear message, adapting their discourse to different audiences, and gaining confidence when giving interviews or speaking in public. The meeting ended on a convivial note with the traditional galette des Rois cake, encouraging informal discussions and networking among doctoral students.

A collective dynamic at the heart of the OFVi vision

This first annual conference fully illustrates the strength of collaborative, international science based on sharing, complementary approaches and a common vision for the preservation of the Congo Basin forests.

One Forest Vision warmly thanks the Congo Basin Science Initiative for organising the event and for creating such a conducive environment for concrete and sustainable scientific synergies.

The date has already been set for the next edition in 2027.