22 March 2012: The regional workshop on the follow up of the programme for reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation of forests in developing countries (REDD), implemented by the Central American Commission on Environment Development (CCAD) and the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ) (REDD/CCAD-GIZ Programme), discussed regional and national strategies to be implemented during 2012 by the eight member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA).

In addition to national REDD plans and strategies, workshop participants explored elements of a possible joint position on REDD to present at the upcoming 18th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 18) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled to take place from 26 November – 7 December 2012, in Doha, Qatar.

The REDD/CCAD-GIZ Programme was launched in 2009 with €12 million in funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

In 2012, the REDD Programme plans to enhance several activities to protect forests, including a regional dialogue of experts in forest governance, and an Indigenous Forum aimed at conveying ways of managing and conserving forests consistent with the lifestyle and culture of indigenous groups. A meeting of international experts on compensation was held from 28-29 February 2012, to advise on forest carbon projects in SICA countries.

The workshop took place from 20-22 March 2012, in San Salvador, El Salvador. CCAD is the environmental body of SICA, which includes eight member countries, namely: Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. [CCAD Press Release (in Spanish)]