The Congo Basin, a vital carbon sink, is largely overlooked in global climate discussions and funding, despite its ecological importance.

The Congo Basin, often referred to as the 'lungs of Africa', is the second-largest rainforest globally and plays a critical role in carbon absorption. Despite its ecological significance, it has been largely neglected in climate policy and funding discussions. A recent conference in Brazzaville aimed to address this issue, but it received minimal global attention. The basin absorbs around 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, but this figure is declining due to rising deforestation rates. Funding for the Congo Basin is disproportionately low, with only 16% of international rainforest funding allocated to it from 2008 to 2022. Experts emphasize the need for increased research and local scientific expertise to better understand and protect this vital ecosystem, which is home to numerous endangered species and supports millions of people across Africa.