The objective of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Amazon, Congo, and Borneo-Mekong Forest Basins is to achieve a plan for sustainable management of forest ecosystems and to contribute to climate regulation by: establishing baseline data on the forest resources of the three Basins; establishing a formal platform for mutual consultation and exchange on forest and environmental issues by signing a framework agreement between the Basins; and developing a shared position on REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, as well as conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks) and the climate change agreement before the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). More than 35 nations are expected to participate. The meeting is also part of celebrations of the International Year of Forests (2011), and its discussions and outcomes will feed into preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).  

dates: 31 May – 3 June 2011   location: Brazzaville, Congo   contact: Donatien N’Zala   phone: +242-05-51-83-73   e-mail: nzaladon@yahoo.fr   www: http://www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/