The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is taking a historic step toward conservation by creating what will become the world’s largest protected tropical forest reserve.

While the Amazon remains the largest rainforest by area, it’s losing ground as a carbon sink due to deforestation and degradation. In contrast, the Congo Basin has emerged as one of the planet’s most vital climate buffers—absorbing an estimated 1.5 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Beneath its dense canopy lies the world’s largest tropical peat swamp, which alone stores an estimated 29–30 billion tonnes of carbon. This makes the Congo Basin not only a biodiversity hotspot but potentially the most important rainforest carbon sink left on Earth.
‍
Now, through bold government leadership and innovative partnerships, the DRC is launching an ambitious plan to protect and restore this invaluable ecosystem (World Economic Forum).

Stretching across six African countries, the Congo Basin covers 3.7 million square kilometers and is home to over 10,000 plant and animal species—many found nowhere else on Earth. About 60% of this rainforest lies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), providing food, water, and income for over 60 million people.

But this incredible ecosystem is under growing pressure. Deforestation, illegal logging, industrial farming, and worsening droughts and wildfires all threaten the forest’s future.

One bright spot is Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of both biodiversity and resilience. Despite ongoing conflict in the region, the DRC is working hard to protect its forests. Through the Virunga Alliance, the government is using renewable energy and sustainable farming to create jobs and give communities alternatives to harmful practices. In just five years, the program has created 21,000 jobs, with plans to reach 100,000 jobs and generate $1 billion in annual revenue.

Inspired by the success of the Virunga Alliance, the DRC government passed a landmark law in January 2025 to launch the Virunga–Kinshasa Green Corridor—set to become the world’s largest protected tropical forest reserve.

Covering 540,000 square kilometers (roughly the size of France), this initiative will protect 108,000 square kilometers of untouched primary forest—an area the size of Iceland. But it’s not just about protection. The corridor is designed to restore forests, create jobs, and build a greener economy.

The plan includes:

• Creating 500,000 jobs
• Expanding renewable energy infrastructure
• Transporting 1 million tonnes of food annually from eastern Congo to Kinshasa, Africa’s largest city

The project has already secured €42 million in EU funding and backing from global partners like Grameen Bank, the Schmidt Family Foundation, and the World Economic Forum’s 1t.org initiative.

By combining conservation with economic opportunity, the DRC hopes to turn one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems into a model for climate resilience and sustainable development.

The DRC government is seeking international partners to invest in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, conservation funding, and carbon credit programs. This effort is not only about protecting nature—it’s about restoring stability and economic opportunities for communities affected by years of conflict.

“This is a call for global collaboration,” said Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum. “By linking conservation with economic growth, we can restore nature while creating jobs and long-term peace.”

As climate threats intensify, the Virunga-Kinshasa Green Corridor offers a bold new model—one where environmental protection and economic progress go hand in hand. The world is watching as the DRC takes a leading role in shaping a more sustainable future (World Economic Forum).