The agreement will strengthen the links between research on the diversity of tree species and actions towards the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets related to reducing deforestation and promoting the sustainable management of forests.
12 October 2012: The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) forest, trees and agroforestry research program and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in support of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets to reduce the rate of deforestation by half and ensure the sustainable management of forestry systems.
The MoU sets the framework for joint research into tree diversity in a manner that links research to the achievement of the Aichi Targets. In doing so, the MoU will focus on the five main themes of the research program: supporting increased smallholder production, rights and market access; conserving high value tree species; landscape level management of forest ecosystem services; the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation; and managing the impacts of trade and investment of forests and people.
The research program is led by the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) in collaboration with Bioversity International, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the World Agroforestry Centre.
The Secretariat of the CBD also signed a MoU with the World Agroforestry Centre on the sustainable use of land and links between climate change and agriculture. [CIFOR Press Release] [CGIAR Forest, Trees and Agroforestry Research Program]