The Cavally Regional Landscape Platform meeting, convened in Guiglo on March 19, 2024, stands as a pivotal moment in the continuous endeavours led by the Regional Council and IDH since 2022. This initiative is dedicated to environmental stewardship and fostering sustainable development within the Cavally region, epitomizing the indispensable collaboration necessary for ecological and economic resilience. 

Fostering sustainability and autonomy 

Central to the discussions at Guiglo was the strategic goal to ensure the platform's sustainable and autonomous operation. This effort is integral to empowering the Cavally Regional Council to completely manage its activities by 2025 and beyond, a crucial transition for the region to sustain conservation and development initiatives on its territory.

In response to these objectives, several key recommendations emerged: 

• Establishment of sustainable funding: Developing robust financial mechanisms to secure the platform's independence post-2025. This includes diversifying funding sources, enhancing private sector engagement and increasing financial contributions from local authorities like the Regional Council and Guiglo Town Hall. 

• Capacity building: Strengthening the capabilities of the Regional Council to manage the platform comprehensively, which will involve advanced training for members, heightened ecological awareness, and consistent, transparent communication about project activities and outcomes. 

ICRAF joins the platform 

The integration of ICRAF (World Agroforestry) into the platform is a significant enhancement, offering substantial support in management aspects and member mobilization. ICRAF’s involvement underscores the critical role of agroforestry in sustainable landscape management and local economic development. 

A model for regional cooperation 

The Cavally landscape platform exemplifies proactive resource management, demonstrating that environmental stewardship can effectively collaborate with the public and private sectors, as well as the local communities. The commitment of the Cavally Regional Council to autonomously manage its ecological efforts sets a commendable precedent for other regions. This approach not only showcases sustainable development and conservation as actionable local endeavours but also highlights the necessity for innovation, cooperation and dedicated effort. The platform is poised to become a benchmark for how diverse stakeholders can unite to achieve shared objectives: preserving natural landscapes and promoting the economic prosperity of communities.