African heads of state and government are calling for the continent's vast natural capital to be considered when measuring the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of their countries.
In a communique adopted on Wednesday 13 November on the sidelines of the World Leaders' Summit of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, they emphasized the unique contribution to the world of Africa's forests such as carbon sequestration, pollution control, retention of water and soil fertility.
The high-level meeting titled: Measuring the Green Wealth of Africa, was jointly convened by the President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, his Kenyan counterpart Dr William Ruto who was represented by the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, and the president of the African Development Bank Group Dr Akinwumi Adesina.
It was attended by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of the Republic of Togo.