INBAR flag raising ceremony for the Central African Republic (INBAR) 

Bamboo is widely recognized as one of nature's most versatile plants, with economic benefits that have enormous potential for Africa. 

Recognizing this potential, the Central African Republic joined the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) on September 13 as the 44th member state, marking a significant new commitment by the country to green growth and environmentally sustainable development. 

Speaking at the flag raising ceremony in Beijing, Jean Pierre Mbazoa, the Central African Republic’s Ambassador to Beijing, said his country’s accession should be a positive move for green growth.  

“Like a large number of countries in the tropics and subtropics, in the Central African Republic we are very familiar with bamboo and rattan, but we have yet to realize the full potential of these plants,” he said.  

INBAR’s 19 African Members already applied bamboo and rattan for a wide range of uses, including as household energy, to restore degraded land, and to create handicrafts and household goods.