Six leaders attended the conference, which is part of an "African and global decade of afforestation and reforestation" launched by Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso at COP27 in Egypt in 2023.
"This conference seems to be the beginning of a process of research and a life-saving response. The situation we already know [climate change] remains worrying," Sassou Nguesso said. "The need for action is clear... it's all about the will to act and putting in the necessary effort."
A "Brazzaville Declaration" is due to be adopted at the end of the summit and has been submitted to the leaders by experts who have been meeting in the Congolese capital since Tuesday with indigenous representatives and technical and financial partners.
"The great challenge today is not only to stop the disappearance of forests but also to restore those that have disappeared and then create new ones," said Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission.
Sassou Nguesso was joined by his counterparts, including Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic, Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon, and Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia.