A new World Bank report highlights the immense economic, environmental, and climate value of the Congo Basin forests, home to the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest spanning six countries. These forests are vital not only for global climate stability and biodiversity but also as a foundation for economic resilience in the region. The report shows significant variation in forest management and governance across the basin. The Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem Accounts report and accompanying country studies provide a comprehensive overview of how forests can be integrated into macroeconomic planning to support economic diversification and climate finance strategies. However, the report highlights a major imbalance: while Congo Basin forests provide over $1 trillion in global ecosystem services—with more than 90% derived from climate regulation—local governments captured only $8 billion in domestic benefits in 2020, mainly from timber, bushmeat, wild foods, and ecotourism.