Ecotourism Symposium

Natural Resource Conservation and Economic Development in the Congo Basin: The Role of Ecotourism

Sponsored by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research and the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

February 21, 2003
Rosslyn, Virginia

Background

The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) was launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2002.  The 29 CBFP partners representing governments, NGOs, International Organizations, and the private sector, are dedicated to addressing the health, conservation and sustainable resource management and well-being of the communities dependent upon the forest and wildlife resources. CBFP priorities include promoting economic development, poverty alleviation, improved governance, and natural resource conservation throughout the Congo Basin Forest area. For further information see http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/fs/2002/15617.htm

In support of the CBFP, this symposium was held to explore issues related to ecotourism development in the Congo Basin as a means of conservation and economic development of the second largest tropical rainforest of the world.

--  Executive Summary
--  Annex I: Agenda
--  Annex II: Biographical Sketches
--  Annex III: Selected Presentations
--  Annex IV: List of Attendees