9 December 2010: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) convened a planning workshop for the Fiji REDD+ Strategy from 25-26 November, in Suva, Fiji.

Attended by stakeholders and representatives of government departments, the workshop resulted in the drafting of Fiji’s strategy and action plan for REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, and the role of conservation, sustainable use of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks). According to SPC, the development of the REDD+ strategy follows closely the development of Fiji’s REDD Policy, which is expected to be endorsed before the end of 2010. Fiji’s REDD+ strategy has two major components: the first addressing policy issues, including the identification of financing opportunities and strategies, addressing the drivers of forest carbon loss, maximizing benefits to landowners, and elaborating a governance structure to promote transparency and accountability; and the other the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) process issues and activities, including the development of an accepted national assessment methodology and monitoring procedure for forest area and carbon stock change, the identification of suitable REDD+ activity types, and capacity development for the implementation of REDD+. The draft REDD+ strategy and action plan will go through final stakeholder consultations in early 2011. [SPC Press Release] [Meeting Documents]