BRAZAVILLE - Prime Minister Bernard Makuza is in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, to attend the Head of States and Government Summit on Cooperation of the three tropical forests including; Amazon, Borneo-Mekong and Congo.

The four-day summit is aimed at fostering worldwide discussion among 35 nations covering the three major rainforest basins in Africa, Latin America and Asia and their partners.

The Premier was accompanied by the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Stanislas Kamanzi.

The meeting will focus on cooperation mechanisms which will probably enhance South-South cooperation and strengthen developing countries’ position in climate change negotiations.

Makuza said before his departure that Rwanda is participating as one of the countries directly linked to the Congo basin.

"Rwanda is part of the basin. It is important for us to promote international, regional and sub-regional cooperation because effects of mismanagement of forest resources transcends national boundaries. No single nation can do it alone,”

"This can help us in protecting our forests like the Nyungwe,Volcanoes and Akagera parks and also boost protection-conservation and reforestation programmes,” the Premier said.

The conference is organised in three parts; namely experts’ segment, ministerial meeting and the Summit of Heads of State and Governments.

The meeting is also part of celebrations to mark the International Year of Forests (2011).

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