REDD+ side event at SB64: REDD+ Community of Practice: Lessons learned from the first REDD+ Global Summit

Background: Since its launch, the REDD+ Community of Practice has provided a dedicated space for REDD+ countries, technical experts, partner organizations, donors and other stakeholders to exchange experiences, share lessons learned and strengthen collaboration on REDD+ implementation. Building on more than a decade of REDD+ implementation under the Warsaw Framework for REDD+, the REDD+ Community of Practice aims to support countries in addressing emerging technical, institutional and financial challenges, while promoting peer learning and practical knowledge exchange.

In 2025 and 2026, UN Climate Change organized a series of REDD+ regional and global meetings under the REDD+ Community of Practice. A key milestone was the first REDD+ Global Summit, held in Nairobi in May 2026, which brought together representatives from 59 REDD+ countries, four donor countries, 13 international organizations supporting REDD+ implementation, constituency representatives and REDD+ experts. The Summit provided a dedicated space for the REDD+ community to exchange practical experiences, discuss common implementation challenges and explore opportunities for continued collaboration.

The discussions were lively and constructive, covering a wide range of topics related to REDD+ implementation, reporting, finance, safeguards, technical cooperation and emerging issues in the evolving climate policy landscape. The strong level of engagement also demonstrated the need to sustain momentum beyond individual meetings.

This side event provided an update on the implementation of the REDD+ Community of Practice, shared key lessons learned from the REDD+ Global Summit, and launched a new set of knowledge products developed to support REDD+ implementation. The event also provided an opportunity for REDD+ countries, donors, organizations and experts to reflect on how the REDD+ Community of Practice can continue to support countries in advancing REDD+ implementation and contributing to the global goal of halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030.

Objectives: In order to share progress and strengthen collaboration under the REDD+ Community of Practice, this event aimed to:

• Provide an update on the implementation of the REDD+ Community of Practice, including REDD+ Global Summit held in 2026;
• Share lessons learned from the first REDD+ Global Summit, including key messages emerging from discussions among REDD+ countries, donors, organizations and experts;
• Launch and promote a new set of knowledge products developed to support REDD+ implementation;
• Explore ways to sustain engagement under the REDD+ Community of Practice, including through online exchanges, future meetings and continued collaboration among REDD+ stakeholders.

Impact and outcomes of the event: Participants gained insights into the progress made in implementing the REDD+ Community of Practice, including lessons learned from recent REDD+ Global Summit and the development of new knowledge products. Furthermore, the event promoted the dissemination and uptake of these knowledge products to support the effective implementation of REDD+ activities. The event also helped identify opportunities to sustain the momentum generated by the first REDD+ Global Summit and further strengthen the REDD+ Community of Practice as a platform for peer learning, technical exchange and collaboration.

Target audience

• Parties implementing or supporting REDD+ activities;
• Technical experts and practitioners involved in REDD+ implementation, reporting, safeguards, forest monitoring, finance, or capacity-building;
• Donors and financing institutions supporting REDD+ implementation;
• International organizations and partner agencies providing technical or financial support for REDD+ implementation;
• Civil society organizations, academia, and other stakeholders engaged in forest and climate action.

Time/Location
Tuesday, 16 June, 16.30–17.45, Room Bonn, WCCB

Panelists

• Bob Kazungu, Assistant Commissioner Forestry and Monitoring, National REDD+ Focal Point, Uganda
• Consuela Paloeng, NFMS Reporting Specialist, Suriname
• Dr. Michael Huettner, GIZ Climate Diplomacy Action Programme, on behalf of BMUKN Germany
• Minkyung Song, Research Scientist, National Institute of Forest Science (NIFoS), Korea Forest Service, Republic of Korea
• Mirey Atallah, Chief of Branch, United Nation Environmental Programme

Presentation

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Agenda