Ha Noi, Viet Nam –National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS) and Reference Levels (RELs) for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) were the focus of a workshop hosted today in Ha Noi by the UN-REDD Programme in collaboration with the Viet Nam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST).

The workshop, the 5th UN-REDD Regional Lessons Learned Workshop for Asia and the Pacific, provided an opportunity for information exchange and joint learning across countries in the region. Experts from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other institutions based throughout the region shared the latest international guidance and technological advice on NFMS and RELs.

In his opening speech, Dr. Nguyen Phu Hung, Director of Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation under VNFOREST, underlined the importance of developing a comprehensive national forest monitoring system in order for countries to integrate the forest sector into their approaches to climate change mitigation.

The NFMS and RELs are two of four key pieces of work that countries must complete to participate in a mechanism for REDD+ as part of a future international climate change agreement.
Viet Nam is one of the first countries in the world to move into the second phase of REDD+ Readiness, where on-the-ground demonstration activities are developed and implemented. This experience will be an important part of the learning process for other countries in the region.

The workshop is part of a series of regional events and serves as a platform for UN-REDD partner countries in Asia and the Pacific to build consistency in their approaches, to share successes and to learn how to handle challenges in preparing for REDD+. Co-organisers of the workshop also include two USAID-funded initiatives; SilvaCarbon and the Lowering Emissions in Asia’s Forests (USAID LEAF) project.

About the UN-REDD Programme

The UN-REDD Programme is the United Nations collaborative initiative on REDD+ in developing countries. Launched in 2008, the programme builds on the convening role and technical expertise of FAO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The programme supports nationally-led REDD+ readiness processes and promotes the informed and meaningful involvement of all stakeholders in national and international REDD+ implementation.
The Programme supports national REDD+ readiness efforts in 56 partner countries, spanning Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. By June 2014, total funding for these two streams of support to countries totaled US$195.7 million.
For more information, please visit www.vietnam-redd.org

Contact details:
Mr Ben Vickers, UN-REDD Regional Coordinator at FAO, UN-REDD Programme
Email: [email protected]
Hoang Viet Dung, Communication Officer, UN-REDD Viet Nam Phase II Programme
T: +84 4 37 28 65 20 * M: +84 (0) 912 625 704 * E: [email protected]