The UN-REDD Programme was pleased to host the Chief Executive Board (CEB) side event on REDD+ at COP17 on 30 November, entitled, “Making Progress with REDD+: Applying Lessons Learned to Enhance Success”. The side event, which was attended by more than 120 participants from 40 countries and various governmental and non-governmental organizations, focused on lessons learned from REDD+ readiness activities among UN-REDD partner countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Presenters included Dr. Yemi Katerere of the UN-REDD Programme Secretariat, Salisu Dahiru from Nigeria, Yuyu Rahayu of Indonesia, Joelle Chassard from the World Bank, Ricardo Ulate from Costa Rica and Vicky Tauli-Corpuz of TEBTEBBA (Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education). The event was moderated by Maria Sanz-Sanchez of the UNFCCC Secretariat.  Download the UN-REDD Programme's COP17 lessons learned presentation.

Both Nigeria and Indonesia gave overviews of their particular experiences relating to REDD+ implementation. Nigeria spoke of recently becoming a partner of the UN-REDD Programme, and the need to translate this into action, including the challenge of dealing with various sectoral conflicts, particularly related to land-use planning. The importance of awareness and capacity building in this process was underlined. Indonesia reflected on the challenge of coordinating numerous initiatives related to REDD+, and noted the important role the UN-REDD Programme has played in helping to facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations.

During an interactive round-table discussion, other partner countries summarized their own REDD+ lessons learned. Costa Rica noted the importance of managing expectations, and also the importance of ensuring REDD+ is reflected within broader strategies, including national development strategies. TEBTEBBA emphasized the importance of education, awareness and of the full involvement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. TEBTEBBA added that Engaging governments at the local level, which are not always as well-informed on REDD+ as national-level counterparts is also important. The World Bank highlighted the benefit of developing common approaches and importance of coordination between multilateral initiatives, and stated that they continue to learn from countries themselves. All panelists underlined the point that REDD+ readiness and implementation efforts take time, and that political will is essential to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.

In summary, moderator Maria Sanz-Sanchez from the UNFCCC Secretariat reflected on the complexities surrounding REDD+ but acknowledged the significant progress that has already been achieved in a relatively short amount of time. She noted many commonalities in the views shared, particularly relating to the challenge of ensuring broader integration, managing expectations, and the need to take advantage of what resources already exist. She urged countries to continue to take ownership and to use experience from REDD+ readiness to guide the negotiations.

Two new UN-REDD Programme publication series were also launched at the side event. The Programme kicked off its Lessons Learned series, with a booklet focusing on REDD+ lessons among partner countries in Asia-Pacific. Download in English | French | Spanish. The Programme also launched its first Policy Brief, which looks at REDD+ and the Green Economy.  Download in English (French and Spanish will be available soon)