28 March 2012: The UN-REDD Programme Policy Board, at its eighth meeting, approved US$8 million to support the National Programmes of the Republic of Congo and Sri Lanka for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, as well as conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+).

The inclusion of Sri Lanka and the Congo brings the number of partner countries supported by UN-REDD to 16. The funding will support the two countries in preparing and implementing REDD+ strategies. The 14 other UN-REDD partner countries are: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Viet Nam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama, and Paraguay.

At the meeting, the Policy Board endorsed the Programme’s Social and Environmental Principles and Criteria, discussed progress in national-level REDD+ implementation, and approved the timeline for implementing a country needs assessment that will allow the Programme and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) to better deliver REDD+ support to countries. In addition, the Programme launched its 2011 “Year in Review” report. The Policy Board meeting took place from 25-26 March 2012, in Asuncion, Paraguay. [UN-REDD Press Release]