16 June 2009: The UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD Programme) held its second Policy Board Meeting from 14-15 June 2009, in Montreux, Switzerland.

The Programme is a collaborative initiative between the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
The meeting signified the first meeting of the Board’s full membership, including representatives from civil society, indigenous peoples, the UNFCCC, the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), among others. Among other topics discussed, the Board explored: issues related to measurement, reporting and verification; governance; stakeholder participation; and co-benefits of REDD initiatives for biodiversity and livelihoods. The Board also discussed the work plan for the upcoming year, and representatives from host countries (Bolivia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tanzania, Viet Nam, and Zambia) reported on their activities. [UN-REDD Press Release]