The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognizes protected areas (PAs) as instrumental in fostering the attainment of international
targets. At the end of the Rio+20 in Brazil, this paper focuses on PAs created in Cameroon since 1992. Statistics from the World Database
on Protected Areas (WDPA), and other sources illustrate that 15 PAs covering 1 901 739 hectares have been created and 13 others enclosing
666 026 hectares are at different stages of creation. They are 11 national parks covering 1 806 928 hectares representing 95% and 4 sanctuaries
wrapping up 5% (94 811 hectares). The tropical humid ecosystem has 56% of the area protected; the tropical wooded savannah 30% and the
montane ecosystem 7%. PAs overlap significantly (96%) with Key Biodiversity Areas suggesting they are conferring some protection on
biodiversity.