Following the stakeholder workshops held in Brazzaville and Ouesso in July 2025, the Republic of Congo continued its national engagement on the Broader Market Recognition Coalition with a third workshop in Pointe-Noire on 27 February 2026.
The workshop brought together representatives from government, private sector, civil society and local communities to deepen understanding of BMRC and explore how it could support the country’s forest governance priorities.
Discussions in Pointe-Noire focused on how BMRC works in practice and what it means for existing processes and national systems. Participants explored how BMRC relates to the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement, how national systems could be assessed, and how recognition in international markets can be achieved.
Armel TSIBA NGOLO, Acting BMRC Government Representative for Republic of Congo explained, “BMRC is not the same as FLEGT VPA. BMRC builds on national sustainable forest management systems developed by each member country and promotes them. It will establish criteria based on what already exists, strengthened in line with market demand. It goes beyond FLEGT VPA.”
There was also a strong focus on how the robustness of national systems will be demonstrated in practice. Alain Bertin TIOTSOP, BMRC Private Sector Representative for Republic of Congo noted that this will be achieved through strengthening national laws and ensuring their effective implementation.
The workshop also provided an opportunity to present a draft BMRC Republic of Congo action plan, developed from earlier discussions in Brazzaville and Ouesso, and to gather further feedback from stakeholders.
This continued engagement reflects the growing national conversation around BMRC in the Republic of Congo, with stakeholders actively shaping how the initiative will be taken forward.
As BMRC moves into its next phase, country-level discussions like these will play a key role in ensuring that the process remains rooted in national priorities.
