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[5.5 Sustainable development and the National Climate Plan]
5.51. Gabon ranks second in the world in terms of the percentage of national territory allocated for conservation. Almost 11% of its territory, or 29,400 km2, is reserved for 13 national parks.

5.52. The Gabonese forest is part of the Congo Basin forest, which is the 2nd largest tropical forest and the 2nd largest carbon sink in the world after the Amazon.

5.53. Gabon is ranked 9th in Africa in the Environmental Performance Index.

5.54. Through a participatory process, Gabon has sought to increase its environmental protection efforts and include the issue of climate change in the implementation of its social project.

5.55. Thus, in December 2011, a National Climate Plan was adopted and presented at the 17th Conference of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 17), held in Durban, South Africa. The objective of this Climate Plan is to reconcile environmental protection with sustainable economic development.

[5.6 Tourism and ecotourism: A fast growing industry]
5.56. To promote ecotourism, which today accounts for 20% of international travel, Gabon is home to a wealth of diverse natural resources.

5.57. The Gabonese landscape has multiple tourist assets. Gabon has some of the world's most diverse flora and fauna. Numerous species can be found there, including elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, humpback whales, dolphins, and turtles.

5.58. Gabon aims to develop a high quality tourism industry based on protection of nature, conservation of biodiversity, and respect for local traditions.

5.59. The tourism and ecotourism sector is growing rapidly. More than 90,000 foreign tourists visited Gabon in 2011, spending an estimated CFAF 214 billion (approximately USD 411.5 million).

5.61. The authorities are working to develop physical and social infrastructure and the necessary institutions to welcome as many tourists as possible in a way which is both respectful of the environment and economically and socially sustainable.