28 February 2012: The February issue of the UN-REDD Programme’s monthly Newsletter reviews various international and country-specific activities related to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, as well as conservation, sustainable management of forests and carbon stock enhancement in developing countries (REDD+).

Articles in the Newsletter highlight activities in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Indonesian experts are in the process of finalizing indicators in its Participatory Governance Assessment for REDD+, while in Sri Lanka, representatives of a wide range of stakeholders have endorsed the country’s submission of its REDD+ National Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP) to the UN-REDD Programme.

The Newsletter also reports on two meetings recently held in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to work on risks and benefits of REDD+ and ensuring the rights of Indigenous Peoples in REDD+ readiness and implementation. The first meeting, held from 8-9 February 2012, focused on the UN-REDD Programme’s Social and Environmental Principles and Criteria (SEPC) and the associated Benefits and Risks Tool (BeRT). Participants encouraged the Programme to seek its Policy Board’s endorsement of a version of the SEPC. The second, on 10 February, reviewed the draft UN-REDD Programme Guidelines on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Results from both workshops will be synthesized and posted on the Programme’s website. An additional article discusses a recent report on pro-poor benefit distribution in REDD+, particularly in Viet Nam. [Publication: UN-REDD Programme Newsletter, Issue nº26, February 2012]