central africa: CONGO BASIN FOREST PARTNERS HOLD INITIAL MEETING

The first international meeting of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, an economic development and conservation program for six Central African countries, is set to open in Paris on Tuesday. Under pressure from population growth, poverty, unsustainable resource use, and political instability, the Congo Basin forests are the focus of a new initiative by a partnership of 29 governments, international organisations, environmental and business interests - the Congo Basin Forest Partnership.