The Central African Republic joined the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR) on Friday, marking a significant new commitment by the country to green growth and environmentally sustainable development.

H.E. Jean Pierre Mbazoa, the Central African Republic's ambassador to Beijing, said his country's accession should be a positive move for green growth.

"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, and cited bamboo's capacity to create jobs, reduce pressure on forest resources, and make durable products which can be used for infrastructure and housing, as particularly important for his country.

Bamboo is a fast-growing grass found across the tropics and subtropics, including an estimated 6 million hectares in Africa.

INBAR's 19 African members already use bamboo and rattan for a wide range of applications, including household energy, restoring degraded land, and creating handicrafts and household goods.

"The collaboration of the Central African Republic and INBAR will create many opportunities for the development of the bamboo and rattan industry in the Central African Republic, and bring INBAR a step closer to achieving our ambitious development, climate and environmental aims," said Jiang Zehui, co-chair of INBAR's board of trustees.

According to Hans Friederich, director-general of INBAR, 2018 is an auspicious year to welcome the Central African Republic.

"Our largest concentration of members is in Africa, and with the recent launch of our new regional office for Central Africa, we are more coordinated and capable than ever before. We are delighted to welcome the Central African Republic into the INBAR family, and hope that together we can achieve great things for nature-based sustainable development," he said.