The UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD) has responded to the withdrawal of the National Coordinating Body of Indigenous Peoples in Panama (COONAPIP) from the National REDD+ Programme.
14 March 2013: The UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD) has responded to the withdrawal of the National Coordinating Body of Indigenous Peoples in Panama (COONAPIP) from the National REDD+ Programme.
In particular, UN-REDD has initiated an independent mediation to address COONAPIP’s concerns over respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and the lack of measures for their full and effective participation in Panama’s REDD+ Programme.
UN-REDD has also moved up the planned independent mid-term evaluation of the National REDD+ Programme, noting that many tools are available to support the participation of indigenous peoples including: the Guidelines on Stakeholder Engagement in REDD+ Readiness; the UN-REDD Programme Guidelines on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC); and the Social and Environmental Principles and Criteria (SEPC). [UN-REDD Programme Statement Regarding Recent Communications with COONAPIP]