Rito Mabunda, forest programme coordinator at WWF Mozambique, presents his key takeaway points during the closing session of the third event of the China-Africa Forest Governance Learning Platform. The presentation was made at the third event of the China-Africa Forest Governance Learning Platform, held in Beijing from 24-25 October 2016. The event explored how China can help sustain Africa’s forests with a focus on the role of private sector actors and Chinese stakeholders in working with African stakeholders to promote pro-poor and sustainable investments and trade in Africa’s forests. More details: www.iied.org/mists-china-africa-forests

1. Takeaway from the Third China – Africa
Forest Governance Learning Platform
Rito Mabunda (WWF Mozambique)
Beijing, 25th October 2016

2. Relevance of the China – Africa Governance Platform
• The platform still very relevant for learning on opportunities and
challenges for prioritisation, strategic engagement and partnership,
piloting and replication of tools, methodologies and good practices.
• The platform has expanded its scope to include increasing number of
stakeholders in China and Africa and the international community.
• There still a great opportunity to improve links and collaboration
amongst key players: government, private sector, NGOs and academia

3. What can be done to improve?
• Sustainable financing - focus on exploring mechanisms for implementation of the
existing tools/guidelines and platforms at national, regional and global level: Paris
Agreement and FOCAC.
• Communication from local to international level: a) More investment and
mechanisms to improve the engagement of local NGOs working with
communities from remote areas and b) Promote better involvement/partnerships
and training of media from China and Africa to understand and report on
successes and failures of China and Africa collaboration and c) share lessons
learned from the forest governance platform with other relevant sectors (mining,
agriculture, infrastructures).
• Ensure long-term sustainability and outreach: Expand the number of supporting
institutions to ensure continuation of the platform and promote more active and
institutionalised role of academia and research institutions from Africa to
contribute with expertise in the China – Africa Governance Learning platform
(China – Africa Think Tanks Forum, SAIIA, IESE, Addis Ababa University).

4. • Thank you