In April 2025, a diverse delegation from Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Indonesia gathered in Rio de Janeiro to embark on a journey through Brazil’s forests and communities. The trip marked the first in a series of south-south exchanges to share knowledge, deepen cooperation, and accelerate action for the protection of tropical forests. Traveling from Rio to Brasília and Belém do Pará, the delegation explored conservation models and policies, while exchanging ideas for protecting ecosystems critical to our planet’s future.

As mega-biodiverse countries, with ecosystems covering 1/3 of the planet, Brazil, DRC, and Indonesia are indispensable in our global stand against biodiversity loss, land degradation and climate change. The nations encompass the world’s three major forest basins and are signatories of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Three Basins Summit. Stepping forward to learn from one another, the group showcased the power and effectiveness of exchange and cooperation amongst the Global South.

The delegation, made up of senior government officials, technical experts, and civil society leaders, engaged in peer learning around biodiversity governance, institutional collaboration, and inclusive approaches to conservation and restoration. By exchanging knowledge and forging new partnerships, they demonstrated the power of cooperation in advancing national biodiversity goals.

Organized by the GIZ Global Project: Strengthening National Implementation of Global Biodiversity Targets under the umbrella of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, the visit supported country-led efforts to meet global biodiversity commitments.

The journey began in the mangrove forests of the Guapi-Mirim Protected Area. Traveling by boat, the group learned about the benefits of mangroves and the commitment of local crab fishers to protect them. Supported by the government and private sector, communities implemented sustainable fishing practices and restoration efforts here. Small-scale fishers are highly invested in protecting mangroves, as they uphold livelihoods and provide habitats essential for marine species to thrive. Mangroves also protect inland communities during storms and floods, filter water and sequester significant amounts of carbon. The site exemplifies how community commitment and policy alignment can deliver tangible benefits for people and nature.

Next, the group arrived in Quilombo do Feital, a Territory with a history of resistance. Once a site of their enslavement, the people of Quilombo do Feital has continued to fight to remain on the land, showcasing how land is deeply intertwined with identity and justice. The visit emphasized the importance of supporting communities whose traditions and livelihoods uphold biodiversity, and encouraged discussions about local-level implementation and adopting a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach to National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

The community welcomed delegates with a demonstration of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art combining dance, music, and acrobatic fighting. Capoeira is embraced by local youth and highlights the community’s vibrant culture and spirituality.

At the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden and its herbarium, the delegation engaged with researchers on plant biodiversity and discussed how sustainable bioeconomies (using plants, animals and microorganism for goods, services , and energy) can support biodiversity while strengthening national plans. The discussions encouraged the DRC delegation to express interest in collaborating with Brazilian scientists to classify its native species, highlighting the potential for south-south research partnerships.

At the Museum of Tomorrow, delegates met with Rio’s Secretary of Environment, exploring how Brazil is aligning its national biodiversity strategy across its 92 municipalities through subnational planning and local implementation. Education and digital engagement were highlighted as critical tools for change, particularly for younger generations.

The museum’s immersive exhibits offered a moment of reflection and inspiration for imagining a more sustainable future.

In the capital, Brasilia, the group met with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, and the Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA). Discussions centred on improving biodiversity governance by recognizing land rights and autonomy and highlighted the importance of supporting the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in advancing NBSAP implementation and achieving the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

The following day, during a meeting with Instituto Chico Mendes, country delegates learned about Brazil’s vast network of protected areas—over 170 million hectares managed through its National System of Conservation Units (SNUC). They explored how integrated management approaches and the use of technology support both strict conservation and sustainable use across Brazil’s rich biomes, including the Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal.

The final leg of the journey took the group to Belém, gateway to the Amazon. Here, they met with IDEFLOR-Bio and the Secretary of Environment for the State of Pará, learning how local institutions are tackling deforestation through investments in satellite monitoring, law enforcement, and science-based policymaking. The approach, which leverages science and new technologies, is particularly valuable for Indonesia and the DRC-two countries facing significant deforestation challenges. In Utinga State Park, the group also learned about the Golden Parakeet reintroduction project.

To end the journey, the group glided down the Amazon River, reflecting on the knowledge exchanged, partnerships formed, and paths forward. The experience reinforced a shared commitment to act boldly together, for the world’s tropical forests and the communities that call them home.

Reflecting on the trip, Benjamin Toirambe Bamoninga, Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment in the DRC said, “there was an extraordinary welcome” in Brazil. He explained: “It’s like all of us are from the same continent, although we are from three different continents.” With hope and solitude, the Secretary expressed that “We are one people… We think about ourselves like people who come from the same father, same mother. We have the same strategy, the same vision.”

The study trip highlighted Brazil’s innovative biodiversity governance model, inspiring Indonesia and the DRC to explore adapting these approaches to their local contexts. The delegation explored the importance of bridging national and subnational efforts, the critical role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and the value of using technology and domestic financial mechanisms to combat deforestation and support conservation. The experience underscored the potential of bioeconomy and integrated climate-biodiversity strategies to drive sustainable development across tropical forest nations.

The trip enabled the exchange of best practices between Brazil, the DRC, and Indonesia, promoting collaborative research, and strengthening capacity in biodiversity conservation —all vital for securing our planet’s future. Together, the three nations showcased South-South cooperation as a powerful catalyst for ongoing progress.

*The Brazil study trip and knowledge exchange was organized by the GIZ Global Project: Strengthening National Implementation of Global Biodiversity Targets with representatives from Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Indonesia. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), under the umbrella of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, the GIZ Global Project supports strategic efforts to achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).