UN-REDD Programme

The UN-REDD Programme is a joint initiative deploying support of the three agencies – FAO, UNDP and UNEP – to countries which voluntarily choose to implement of REDD+. During the period 2016-2020, the focus of the UN-REDD Programme is “to support countries in meeting their commitments under the UNFCCC, and developing the elements of the Warsaw Framework.” The ultimate aim of the programme is to support countries moving into implementation that would enable them to receive results based incentives.

With support from the Government of Norway, the UN-REDD Programme, in partnership with the Regional Community Forestry Training Centre (RECOFTC), assisted the Government of Myanmar (GoM) and other stakeholders to develop a “REDD+ Readiness Roadmap” in the period of July 2012-August 2013.

The Myanmar REDD+ Readiness Roadmap has six sections;

  1. Management of REDD+ Readiness Arrangements
  2. Stakeholder Consultation and Participation
  3. Development and Selection of REDD+ Strategies
  4. Implementation Framework and Safeguards
  5. Development of a National Forest Reference Emission Level and /or Forest Reference Level and
  6. Development of a National Forest Monitoring System

Some initial support to the implementation of the Roadmap was provided through the UN-REDD Targeted Support window during 2014-2015. In early 2015, Myanmar was invited to submit an Expression of Interest for the UN-REDD National Programme, and subsequently to make a presentation on this Expression of Interest to the 14th and 15th meetings of the UN-REDD Policy Board. The Policy Board provisionally approved the allocation of USD 5,554,370 to the Myanmar UN-REDD National Programme. This decision became operational following the confirmation of availability of funds provided to the interim governance body on 6 July 2016. The Myanmar UN-REDD National Programme reflects the needs identified in the REDD+ Readiness Roadmap, the comparative advantages of the UN-REDD Programme, and specific circumstances of the country.

Programme Outcomes:

Outcome 1: Relevant Stakeholders engaged and their capacities developed

  • Strengthened stakeholder representation and consultation
  • REDD+ Task Force, REDD+ Office and TWGs supported

Outcome 2: National institutions have capacities to implement effective and participatory governance arrangements for REDD+

  • Institutional measures for REDD+ awareness raising and information flow defined and operationalized
  • Legal and policy framework reviewed; and adapted and reinforced, as necessary

Outcome 3: REDD+ safeguards defined in the national context and national safeguards information system developed

  • Define REDD+ safeguards and safeguard information system for Myanmar’s context
  • Develop and implement Myanmar’s Safeguards Information System (SIS)

Outcome 4: Development of Myanmar’s national forest monitoring system (NFMS) and preliminary FRELs/FRLs supported

  • Build capacity and develop national action plans on NFMS and FRELs/FRLs
  • Develop Myanmar’s Satellite Land Monitoring System and web-GIS portal
  • Design and pilot a multipurpose National Forest Inventory

Outcome 5: National REDD+ Strategy developed

  • REDD+ Strategy analysis
  • Formulation and approval of National REDD+ Strategy

Programme Significance

The UN-REDD Programme works at national level and will help to establish the REDD+ architecture in the country necessary for a successful participation of Myanmar in this important international climate change related policy initiative. Once the preparatory phase for REDD+ is successfully finished, the country will also be able to receive results based incentives related to policies and measures implemented in the context of Myanmar’s contribution to international efforts of mitigating the negative effects of climate change.

The forestry and land use change related targets of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of Myanmar aiming at contributing to the fulfilment of global emission reduction or enhancement of removal targets of the Paris Agreement of the UNFCCC will largely be delivered by REDD+. The Un-REDD Programme therefore is a key partner of Myanmar in helping to meet the national commitments in relation to the role of forests in Climate Change mitigation.