Forests and Tree

Forests and trees are vital to the well-being of Pacific island communities. Pacific islands are some of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and ensuring that they maintain sufficient forest and trees resources will be key to their ability to adapt to some of these changes. But despite this, continuing deforestation and forest degradation to satisfy mainly short-term economic benefits is a major concern by many Pacific island countries. Significant investments into implementing sustainable forest management practices have not resulted in many positive changes on the ground due to the many challenges and issues faced by these countries. But recent developments in terms of international climate change negotiations and in terms of development of new trade regimes and new technologies are opening up new opportunities for forestry in the Pacific region.

This Pacific side event was organised to enable selected Pacific island countries to present some of their challenges and to showcase some of the opportunities that they have captured to try get around some of these challenges.

Please find attached the presentations from representative of SPC, Fiji, Kiribati, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for your information.

The Pacific island countries (PICs) with support from international community are accelerating their efforts and actions to be ready for addressing REDD+. In the process of planning and implementing a wide range of activities, several key issues including opportunity and challenges, some are unique to PICs and others are common to the different parts of developing world, are being identified.

The side event event at APFW 2011 provided an update on the progress and future plan of REDD+ in PICs. The presenters shared experiences and lessons learned with participants.

Attached please find all presentations for your information.