REDD+ Global Summit 2026

Background:

Since the adoption of the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ in 2013, countries have made steady progress in implementing REDD+ activities. This framework is also recognized under Article 5.2 of the Paris Agreement. The first Global Stocktake further underscored the importance of halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. However, the current landscape of REDD+ implementation – particularly its interaction with evolving mechanisms under the Paris Agreement – has become increasingly complex. Currently there is no dedicated space for REDD+ countries, donors and other stakeholders to systematically share experiences and lessons learned. In response to this need, the UNFCCC secretariat launched the UNFCCC REDD+ Community of Practice, which would serve as a dedicated platform for dialogue and technical exchange. The details are provided in the presentation at SB62. 

With 2030 forest goals approaching, REDD+ countries, supporting organizations and donors have accumulated rich implementation experience—on national REDD+ strategies/action plans, safeguards information systems, forest reference (emission) levels, and results-based finance. The REDD+ Global Summit was a good opportunity to share experiences and lessons learned, while surfacing collaboration opportunities and informing potential further work by the secretariat. It also strengthened transparency and facilitate exchange on access to diverse sources of results-based finance, supporting country efforts to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. Finally, it opened a space for discussion on opportunities and challenges with accessing different sources of REDD+ results-based finance, and with combining them with other forest-related funds.

Overall goal:

Advance REDD+ implementation by expanding South-South exchange, strengthening transparency, clarifying Article 5/Article 6 linkages, and enabling voluntary cooperation through an active UNFCCC REDD+ Community of Practice – taking the momentum on forests forward from COP30 and supporting countries’ efforts to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030.

Objectives:

This meeting provided an opportunity to:

• Provide a dedicated global space for REDD+ countries, donors, and stakeholders to share experiences and lessons learned on national strategies/action plans, safeguards, forest reference (emission) levels, national forest monitoring system, and results-based finance;
• Strengthen participants’ understanding of key forest-related agreements, REDD+ reporting, and processes under the Partis Agreement;
• Clarify how REDD+ interfaces with UN agency programmes and evolving mechanisms under the Paris Agreement by discussing open technical questions and practical implications;
• Clarify benefits and options for strengthening alignment between Article 5 and independent carbon crediting initiatives and providers of REDD+ results-based finance;
• Launch a discussion forum on the REDD+ Web Platform which enables Parties to voluntarily cooperate on REDD+ through technical exchanges focused on country priorities, challenges, successes and opportunities;
• Demonstrate how stronger cooperation can enhance ambition and deliver tangible benefits for countries.

Date and Location:

19–21 May 2026
Nairobi, Kenya (Safari Park Hotel)

Modes of Work:

The meeting was held under the Chatham House Rule to encourage open and frank exchange.

• Plenaries: Opening and closing sessions; concise presentations by experienced participants; moderated panels; whole-group roundtable to surface cross-cutting lessons;
• Breakout groups: Thematic exchanges in small groups to share experiences, document lessons, and note open questions (with rapporteurs);
• Peer exchange rounds: Rotating tables highlighting country cases.

Participants:

97 representatives from 59 REDD+ countries, 4 donor countries, 13 organizations, and 3 constituencies

Agenda: