BRAZZAVILLE, July 5, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The Republic of Congo hosted an

African summit on Friday on replacing and planting trees to combat climate
change and its consequences, according to an AFP journalist.

Six leaders attended the conference, which is part of an "African and global
decade of afforestation and reforestation" launched by Congolese President
Denis Sassou Nguesso at COP27 in Egypt in 2023.

"This conference seems to be the beginning of a process of research and a
life-saving response. The situation we already know (climate change) remains
worrying," Sassou Nguesso said.

"The need for action is clear... it's all about the will to act and putting
in the necessary effort," he added.

A "Brazzaville Declaration" is due to be adopted at the end of the summit and
has been submitted to the leaders by experts who have been meeting in the
Congolese capital since Tuesday, with indigenous representatives and
technical and financial partners.

"The great challenge today is not only to stop the disappearance of forests,
but also to restore those that have disappeared and then create new ones,"
said Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission.

Sassou Nguesso was joined by his counterparts including, Nana Akufo-Addo of
Ghana, Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Faustin Archange Touadera of
the Central African Republic, Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon and Sahle-Work
Zewde of Ethiopia.