From 18 to 23 July 2022, the first African congress on protected areas was held in Kigali, capital of Rwanda.

The African Congress on Protected Areas is organized by the Government of Rwanda, the International Union for Conservation of Nature - World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN-WCPA), and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in collaboration with partners. The congress brought together about two thousand participants representing African governments, NGOs and civil society organizations to discuss the role of protected areas in conserving nature, safeguarding Africa's iconic flora and fauna, providing essential life-supporting ecosystem services, and promoting sustainable development while respecting Africa's cultural heritage and traditions.  

A protected area is "a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed by any effective means, legal or otherwise, to ensure the long-term conservation of nature, ecosystem services and associated cultural values”.

The Convention on Biological Diversity signed in Rio, Brazil in 1992 encourages member states to establish protected areas. Protected areas are effective tools for nature conservation and, when well managed, important sources of income through the tourism industry.

Guinea was represented at this event by a delegation led by the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Louopou Lamah.