Asia-Pacific countries share progress on National Forest Inventory Systems
Over 80 participants from the Asia-Pacific region participated in a Lessons Learned Workshop on National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS) for REDD+ in Bangkok, Thailand from 15-17 October 2013.
The workshop gathered over 80 experts from some 20 countries, 15 of which have National UN-REDD Programmes.
“NFMSs for REDD+ should include both a Monitoring function and a Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) function as integral parts of REDD+ readiness,” said Vili Fuavao, Deputy Regional Representative for FAO in Asia and the Pacific, while opening the workshop.
During the three day workshop, participants had the opportunity to discuss how these two functions complement each other and how the three pillars of MRV - National Forest Inventory, Satellite Land Monitoring System, and Greenhouse Gas Inventory - fit together.
Many countries are working to improve their NFMSs, according to their own national circumstances. They face many issues and problems in common and by sharing experiences through this workshop, they were able to explore a number of potential opportunities for collaboration, enhancing South-South learning.
The workshop, jointly organized by FAO/UN-REDD and the SilvaCarbon programme, financed by the US Forest Service, included presentations covering all aspects of NFMS as well as group work to discuss some of these topics in greater depth. Participants in the workshop stressed that REDD+ is not simply concerned with measuring the carbon stored in forests. It is also about finding ways to better manage our forests in the interests of all those whose livelihoods depend on them. A National Forest Monitoring System, in the context of REDD+, must facilitate both of these objectives.
"The main documents from the workshop including the Concept note, Agenda and presentations can be downloaded here."
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