Sassou-N’Guesso champions reforestation at COP31 in Turkey
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Congo-B
Denis Sassou-N’Guesso is taking part in the COP31 leaders’ summit in Antalya, where he is expected to champion the United Nations Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation 2027-2036. The Congolese initiative was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2025 with 155 votes in favour and one against, according to Congo-B.
Congolese President Denis Sassou-N’Guesso arrived on Tuesday 10 November 2026 in Antalya, Turkey, where he is due to take part on 11 and 12 November in the COP31 leaders’ summit, the 31st United Nations Conference on Climate Change. He is expected to champion in particular the United Nations Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation, planned for 2027 to 2036, according to Congo-B.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted this Congolese initiative on 16 April 2025 by 155 votes in favour and one against. It aims to mobilise states, international organisations, the private sector and local communities to restore global forest cover, notably through ecosystem restoration, forest and agroforestry planting, biodiversity preservation and the development of green economies, according to Congo-B.
In Antalya, Denis Sassou-N’Guesso is also expected to encourage the mobilisation of the political and financial commitments needed to implement the decade. Discussions on 11 and 12 November will also address climate finance, the energy transition, industrial decarbonisation, the circular economy and urban resilience, according to Congo-B.
The visit follows several positions taken by the Congolese president on global reforestation. On 6 November, Sassou-N’Guesso called for faster global reforestation, then on 8 November, he called for climate justice with Khalilur Rahman.
