7 December 2011: The UN-REDD programme has announced the signing of a Declaration on Intent by seven central African countries, seven donor countries and the European Commission to scale up implementation of REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries).

The Declaration aims to stimulate progress on REDD+ activities in the Congo Basin, as well as strengthening the promotion and implementation of REDD+ through political support and increased mobilization of financial and technical resources. The Central African countries involved intend to, inter alia: develop policies and programmes for sustainable development and REDD+ strategies; strengthen forest governance; establish mechanisms for stakeholder participation; and establish monitoring, measuring, reporting and verification systems for REDD+. Donor partner countries intend to gradually increasing technical and financial support for REDD+ strategies in the Congo Basin, and providing support by mobilizing the comparative advantage of each partner country. [The Congo Basin Joint Declaration of Intent] [UN-REDD Press Release]