Congo Basin–Amazon Cooperation: Forgotten Parks and Colombia’s National Natural Parks Sign a Memorandum of Understanding

Democratic Republic of the Congo & Republic of Colombia – June 10, 2026

Forgotten Parks ASBL (FP-DRC) and Colombia’s National Natural Parks (Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia – PNNC) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for cooperation aimed at strengthening knowledge exchange, mutual learning, and capacity development between the two organizations.

This collaboration marks an important step in bringing together two of the planet’s most strategic tropical regions: the Congo Basin and the Amazon. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Colombia are home to protected area networks of global significance for biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, water resource protection, and the maintenance of ecosystem services upon which millions of people depend.

The partnership between FP-DRC and PNNC paves the way for broader cooperation between conservation institutions in the DRC—primarily the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN)—and their counterparts in Colombia. It is founded on the belief that the most effective solutions to conservation challenges often emerge through direct exchanges between institutions facing similar realities. This agreement represents a concrete example of South-South cooperation, built on knowledge sharing, mutual capacity strengthening, and the development of innovative approaches tailored to local contexts.

“Upemba National Park and our own protected areas share a great deal in common: we are regions of immense natural wealth where ecosystems are preserved amid conflict. We face similar challenges, such as illegal mining and threats to park rangers, which makes the exchange of experiences essential. This alliance opens new opportunities for ecotourism, research, and community engagement, demonstrating that we can walk this path together,” said Mr. Luisz Olmedo Martínez Zamora, Director General of Colombia’s National Natural Parks.

Priority areas of cooperation include conservation in conflict and insecure environments, sustainable ecotourism development, participatory management of protected areas, biodiversity and natural resource conservation, capacity building and environmental education, management of mining impacts, exchange of expertise and best practices, as well as the development of shared approaches for water resource protection and sustainable development.

“This is a giant step forward for us. Although we manage a territory of 15,000 square kilometers, Colombia is significantly ahead of us in conservation, community engagement, and the management of remote areas facing challenges related to access, infrastructure, armed conflict, and illegal mining. This Memorandum of Understanding and the cooperation between our two institutions—both in academia and through technical and professional exchanges—will be essential. It will also be invaluable in fostering innovation, helping us learn how to document, georeference, and catalogue this extraordinary biodiversity,” added Mr. Luc Gerard Nyafe, Chairman of the Board of Forgotten Parks.

The result of extensive discussions and joint efforts, this agreement reflects a shared determination to transcend geographical boundaries and develop practical solutions to the conservation challenges of the 21st century. Both organizations are convinced that cooperation among countries of the Global South is a powerful lever for strengthening the resilience of natural landscapes and improving the livelihoods of the communities that depend on them.

Through this alliance, Forgotten Parks DRC and Colombia’s National Natural Parks reaffirm their commitment to promoting inclusive, sustainable, and knowledge-based conservation for the benefit of both nature and people.

About Forgotten Parks ASBL (FP-RDC) 

Forgotten Parks ASBL is the sister organization of Forgotten Parks Foundation (FPF), whose mission is to improve the management of national parks and protected areas through partnerships with governments and local communities, while empowering people to protect wildlife and natural ecosystems. The organization operates in African national parks and protected areas that harbor exceptional biodiversity but remain largely unknown or overlooked, often lacking the support needed to ensure their long-term protection. Currently, FPF is active exclusively in Upemba National Park.

About Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia

Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia is the public institution responsible for managing Colombia’s National System of Protected Areas. It works to conserve the country’s natural heritage, protect biodiversity, and promote the sustainable management of natural resources.

Images: Courtesy of PNNC