Côte d’Ivoire and Germany have signed an implementation agreement for the second phase of a programme aimed at protecting biodiversity and promoting the sustainable management of natural resources, as the West African country seeks to balance environmental protection with the needs of rural communities.

Ivorian Environment and Ecological Transition Minister Abou Bamba and German Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire Matthias Veltin signed the agreement on Oct. 1 in Abidjan for the second phase of the Governance and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Côte d’Ivoire programme, known as Pro2GRN II.

The programme, implemented with support from German development cooperation through GIZ, has a budget of 18 million euros and will run from 2026 to 2028.

The second phase builds on the results of the programme's first phase and focuses on biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management and improving living conditions for communities around the Comoé and Taï national parks. The Bossématié nature reserve is also among the areas covered by the programme.

Pro2GRN II will support the management of protected areas while strengthening cooperation among local authorities, communities, public institutions and other stakeholders involved in natural resource management.

The programme's approach combines environmental, social and economic objectives. It includes efforts to improve the management of the Taï and Comoé national parks and the Bossématié nature reserve, while supporting the preservation of remaining forests and ecological connectivity in rural areas.

Another component focuses on agroecological practices and agroforestry. The programme is designed to help farmers adopt more sustainable and climate-resilient production methods, including biological crop protection and water-saving practices, while strengthening local value creation through processing and marketing.

The programme will also support national authorities in implementing Côte d’Ivoire's biodiversity strategy and improving access to biodiversity and climate financing mechanisms.

Côte d’Ivoire has set a target of restoring three million hectares of forest and expanding its protected areas by 2030. The pressure on forests and biodiversity has increased amid agricultural expansion, population growth and climate-related challenges.

The new phase of Pro2GRN II is therefore intended to strengthen the country's efforts to protect ecosystems while supporting economic activities and livelihoods in rural areas.

The agreement reinforces environmental cooperation between Côte d’Ivoire and Germany and places biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture and natural resource management at the centre of their partnership.