WWF claims victory over Virunga park

London-based Soco International has agreed not to drill in the Virunga National Park without the approval of the government and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), which oversees the park’s World Heritage status. Soco said on 11 June it would complete its current seismic acquisition campaign within 30 days. “The company commits not to undertake or commission any exploratory or other drilling within Virunga National Park unless Unesco and the DRC government agree that such activities are not incompatible with its World Heritage status,” it said in a statement.