Mont P&eacute;ko National Park
The Mont P&eacute;ko National Park (MPNP), created by decree on February 9, 1968, is a major protected area within C&ocirc;te d&rsquo;Ivoire&rsquo;s national network of parks and reserves. Located in the Gu&eacute;mon region in the western part of the country, it covers an area of 34,000 hectares and represents one of the last remaining mountainous forest ecosystems in the nation. Its landscape is dominated by Mount P&eacute;ko, which rises to over 1,000 meters above sea level, and is characterized by a mosaic of habitats including dense humid forests, transitional zones, and granite landscapes.
Ecological Wealth and Biodiversity
Thanks to the diversity of its ecosystems, the MPNP hosts exceptional biodiversity, composed of forest, savanna, and ubiquitous species. The flora is particularly rich, including a large number of endemic species or species of high conservation interest. This biological importance places the park at the center of national priorities for the preservation of tropical forests.
The fauna includes emblematic species such as the West African chimpanzee, the forest elephant, various species of primates, and numerous mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The park is also recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), with several hundred avifaunal species recorded.
Pressures and Threats
Between 2002 and 2011, the socio-political crisis led to significant degradation of the park&rsquo;s forest cover due to loss of institutional control and the progressive establishment of human activities. Despite restoration efforts undertaken since 2016, the MPNP remains subject to two major pressures:
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Illegal agricultural activities, mainly linked to the maintenance of former cocoa plantations or harvesting activities in certain zones (Bagohouo-Nidrou, Boho 1&ndash;Goni&eacute;, and Di&eacute;bly).</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Poaching, carried out throughout the park, affecting already vulnerable species.</li>
</ul>
These pressures compromise the natural regeneration of the forest and the conservation of protected species.
Policy Framework and National Strategies
In response to the rapid degradation of Ivorian forests, the Government has adopted several major strategic frameworks, including the Cocoa &amp; Forests Initiative (CFI) promoted by IDH.
These instruments aim to reduce deforestation, restore degraded ecosystems, and increase national forest cover to 20% by 2030. Mont P&eacute;ko National Park plays a central role in these ambitions as a priority area for forest landscape restoration.
Governance and Partnerships
The Ivorian Office of Parks and Reserves (OIPR) is responsible for the operational management of the MPNP. With support from the Government and technical and financial partners, several structuring projects have been initiated to strengthen governance, ecological monitoring, and habitat restoration.
Among them, the Public&ndash;Private Partnership for the protection and rehabilitation of Mont P&eacute;ko National Park, co-financed by OIPR, IDH, and Barry Callebaut, serves as a strategic lever. This project includes:
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">strengthening local and national governance frameworks,</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">involving surrounding communities in conservation actions,</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">holding regular consultations with stakeholders,</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">mobilizing the resources required for sustainable park management.</li>
</ul>
This mechanism also includes stronger ecological monitoring systems, particularly for the protection of sensitive species such as the forest elephant and the chimpanzee.
Strategic Role of Mont P&eacute;ko National Park
Beyond its ecological value, Mont P&eacute;ko National Park plays a key role in:
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">combating climate change,</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">preserving ecosystem services,</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">supporting local economic development through potential future ecotourism,</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">advancing scientific research and environmental education</li>
</ul>
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Mount Peko National Park

COOPERATION AGREEMENT 

Meeting Minutes of the Mount Peko Platform

The Mount Peko multi-stakeholder platform seeks to align with local, sub-national, and national government priorities and policy frameworks related to environmental conservation, social inclusion, and sustainable development. This alignment is reflected in the platform’s planning processes, stakeholder engagement, and implementation of landscape-level interventions.

Responsibilities for the coordination of actions and monitoring within the Mount Peko landscape are assigned through a structured multi-stakeholder governance framework established under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.

Coordination is primarily facilitated through the multi-stakeholder platform and its technical bodies, which bring together government institutions, private sector actors, implementing partners, and civil society organizations operating in the landscape.

A key coordinating role is played by the Technical Committee of the Mount Peko PPP project. This body is composed of representatives from the Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves (OIPR), IDH, private sector partners, financing mechanisms such as FPRCI, and other technical partners. Its main responsibilities include reviewing project progress, providing technical guidance, formulating recommendations, and ensuring coherence among interventions implemented in the landscape.

The OIPR plays a central leadership and convening role, particularly in coordinating protection and restoration activities within the park, while private sector and NGO partners lead sustainable cocoa production and community livelihood interventions in surrounding areas.

Monitoring responsibilities are shared among implementing stakeholders, each reporting on their respective activities. Progress data are consolidated and reviewed through the platform coordination mechanisms to support joint planning, adaptive management

MOUNT PEKO LAUNCH WORKSHOP REPORT

Environmental safeguards are embedded in the landscape approach, particularly through activities led by the OIPR focusing on forest protection, restoration of degraded areas, and the conservation of biodiversity within the national park. The initiative also promotes zero-deforestation cocoa production and sustainable agricultural practices in surrounding landscapes.

Social safeguards are addressed through community engagement and social inclusion interventions, including awareness-raising activities and support for alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on forest resources.

The Mount Peko landscape action plan is jointly managed by the signatory partners under the governance framework established through the Memorandum of Understanding. Overall coordination is led by the Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves (OIPR), which plays a central leadership and convening role. Implementation responsibilities are shared among partners including IDH, CARE International, ICRAF, and other stakeholders, in line with their respective mandates. Designated institutional focal points ensure coordination, technical follow-up, and alignment of activities.

The action plan integrates actions and projects contributing to the coalition’s collective goals, including forest conservation and restoration, promotion of zero-deforestation cocoa production, community development, sustainable livelihoods, and strengthened landscape governance. Each partner implements targeted interventions aligned with the shared vision for sustainable management of the Mount Peko landscape.

The action plan is reviewed and updated through periodic coordination and technical meetings convened under OIPR leadership. Progress, operational challenges, and funding opportunities are collectively assessed, enabling adaptive planning and continuous alignment of interventions.