29 June 2010: The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has invited nominations of two country-designated technical experts to participate in the Global Expert Workshop on Biodiversity Benefits of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD), tentatively scheduled to take place from 20-24 September 2010, in Nairobi, Kenya.

One of the designated experts should be involved in national-level implementation of the CBD programme of work on forest biodiversity, and/or the development and implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans. The second designated expert should be directly involved in the preparation or implementation of national-level climate change mitigation and adaptation activities related to forests in the framework of the UNFCCC. The nominated experts should be in a position to prepare and present a single brief national report on challenges and opportunities related to forest biodiversity, including pilot and demonstration activities on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+) in their countries. Available financial resources allow the CBD Secretariat to support the participation of approximately 20 developing country participants, representing both the UN-REDD Programme and Forest Carbon Partnership Facility pilot countries, as well as a number of representatives of indigenous and local community organizations.

The purpose of the workshop is to support the efforts of parties in addressing REDD in the framework of the UNFCCC, in a way that contributes to the implementation of the CBD programme of work on forest biodiversity. Specifically the workshop will address potential risks associated with REDD+ that could result in activities that run counter to the objectives of the CBD, and develop recommendations for how these risks can be addressed. It also intends to strengthen coordination among the national focal points for the CBD and the UNFCCC. [CBD Notification]