By accessing the "UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform" (hereinafter "we", "us", "our", "UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform", "https://redd.unfccc.int"), you agree to be legally bound by the following terms. If you do not agree to be legally bound by all of the following terms, please do not access and/or use the "UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform". We may change these terms at any time and will do our utmost to inform you of any changes. However, it would be prudent to review these terms regularly yourself, as your continued usage of the "UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform" after changes have been made constitutes your agreement to be legally bound by the updated and/or amended terms.

Our forum is powered by Flarum, a modern open-source discussion platform. Flarum is responsible solely for providing the technical infrastructure for internet-based discussions. The developers and operators of Flarum bear no responsibility for the content we allow and/or disallow as permissible on this platform. For further information about Flarum, please visit: https://flarum.org/.

You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-orientated or any other material that may violate any laws, be it of your country, the country where the "UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform" is hosted, or International Law. Doing so may lead to your account being immediately and permanently banned, with notification of your Internet Service Provider if deemed necessary. The IP address of all posts is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions.

You agree that the "UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform" has the right to remove, edit, move or close any post or topic at any time should we see fit.

As a registered user, you have the ability to create and manage a personal profile. This may include information such as your display name, profile picture, and other optional details you choose to provide. You agree that any information you have entered will be stored in a database. While this information will not be disclosed to any third party without your consent, neither the "UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform" nor the operators of Flarum shall be held responsible for any hacking attempt that may lead to the data being compromised. We therefore encourage you to be mindful of the personal information you choose to share in your profile.

Privacy Policy – UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform

This policy explains in detail how the "UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform" (hereinafter "we", "us", "our", "UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform", "https://redd.unfccc.int") collects, uses, and protects any information gathered during your use of this platform (hereinafter "your information"). Our forum is powered by Flarum, a modern open-source discussion platform.

1. Information We Collect

Your information is collected in two ways.

Automatically – via cookies and session data: When you browse the UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform, Flarum will automatically create a number of cookies – small text files stored temporarily in your web browser. These cookies typically contain a user identifier and an anonymous session identifier assigned to you by the software. Additional cookies may be created to store your browsing preferences, such as which topics you have already read, in order to improve your overall user experience. We may also use cookies beyond those created by Flarum for platform analytics or functionality purposes; these are described separately in our Cookie Policy.

Directly – via information you provide: We also collect information that you actively submit to us. This includes, but is not limited to, posts made as an anonymous visitor, information provided during registration, posts and contributions submitted after registration, and any content you add to your user profile.

2. Your Account

When registering on the UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform, your account will at a minimum contain the following information: a unique username, a personal password, and a valid email address. Depending on the registration process, additional information may be required or optionally provided at your discretion.

As a registered user, you also have the ability to create and maintain a personal profile. This may include optional details such as your full name, organization, country, area of expertise, a profile picture, and a short biography. You are in full control of what information is publicly visible on your profile and may update or remove this information at any time through your account settings.

Your account information is protected in accordance with applicable data protection laws in the country where the platform is hosted.

3. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used solely for the purpose of operating and improving the UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform. This includes managing your account, enabling participation in discussions, personalizing your user experience, and sending platform-related notifications where you have opted in to receive them. Within your account settings, you may opt in or out of automatically generated email notifications at any time.

Your information will not be disclosed to any third party without your explicit consent, except where required by law.

4. Password Security

Your password is stored using a one-way cryptographic hash, meaning it cannot be read or retrieved in plain text by anyone, including platform administrators. We strongly recommend that you do not reuse the same password across multiple websites or services.

Please guard your password carefully. Under no circumstances will anyone affiliated with the UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform or Flarum ever ask you for your password.

If you forget your password, you can use the "Forgot your password?" feature on the login page. You will be asked to provide your username or email address, after which a password reset link will be sent to you to regain access to your account.

5. Your Rights & Control Over Your Data

You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data at any time. To exercise these rights, please contact the platform administrators at [insert contact email]. We will respond to all requests in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.

6. Data Security

While we take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data, neither the UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform nor the operators of Flarum can guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach that may affect your personal information, we will notify you as required by applicable law.

This Privacy Policy is subject to change. We will notify users of significant updates. Continued use of the platform following any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

User Guidelines – UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform

1. Purpose of the Platform

The UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform is a professional forum dedicated to the exchange of knowledge, experience, and information related to REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). It serves as a collaborative space for governments, practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders involved in climate and forest policy. All users are expected to contribute constructively and in the spirit of this mission.

2. Registration & Account Responsibility

• Use your real name or a clearly identifiable professional identity when registering.
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials.
• Do not share your account with others or register multiple accounts.
• Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized use of your account.

3. Profile Guidelines

• Keep your profile information accurate, professional, and up to date.
• Profile pictures should be appropriate for a professional environment (e.g. a photo of yourself or your organization's logo).
• Do not use your profile to advertise commercial products or services.
• Optionally, you may add your organization, country, and area of expertise to help other users connect with you meaningfully.

4. Posting & Discussion Standards

• Stay on topic. Posts should be relevant to REDD+, forest governance, climate policy, or related subjects.
• Be respectful and professional in all interactions. Constructive debate is welcome; personal attacks are not.
• Cite your sources when sharing data, reports, or research findings.
• Do not post duplicate content or flood threads with repetitive messages.
• Use clear, concise language. Posts in English are preferred to ensure broad accessibility.

5. Prohibited Content

The following content is strictly prohibited and will be removed:

• Abusive, offensive, defamatory, or threatening language
• Discriminatory content based on race, gender, nationality, religion, or any other characteristic
• Spam, unsolicited advertisements, or promotional material
• Misinformation or deliberately misleading content
• Content that infringes on intellectual property or copyright
• Any material that violates national or international law

6. Sharing of Documents & Resources

• You may share publicly available documents, reports, and resources relevant to REDD+.
• Clearly attribute the source of any material you share.
• Do not upload confidential or proprietary documents without appropriate authorization.
• Respect copyright and intellectual property rights at all times.

7. Respectful Engagement

• Engage with other users in a collegial and constructive manner.
• Disagreements should be addressed through reasoned argument, not personal criticism.
• Be open to different perspectives, particularly given the international and cross-cultural nature of this platform.
• If you find a post inappropriate, use the report function rather than responding in kind.

8. Moderation

• Posts and topics may be edited, moved, closed, or removed by moderators at any time if they are deemed to violate these guidelines.
• Repeated violations may result in a warning, temporary suspension, or permanent ban of your account.
• Moderation decisions are made in good faith to maintain a productive and respectful environment.
• If you believe a moderation decision was made in error, you may contact the platform administrators.

9. Privacy & Data

• Do not publicly share personal contact details of other users without their consent.
• Be mindful of the information you include in your profile and posts, as this platform is publicly accessible.
• For full details on how your data is handled, please refer to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

10. Contact & Reporting

If you encounter content that violates these guidelines, please use the built-in reporting function or contact the platform administrators directly at [insert contact email]. We appreciate your help in keeping this platform a valuable and trusted resource for the global REDD+ community.

These guidelines are subject to change. Users will be notified of significant updates. Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of the current guidelines.