Nairobi hosts first-ever global REDD+ Summit

The summit, organised by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry in partnership with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has attracted global policymakers, climate negotiators, financiers, civil society groups and Indigenous Peoples representatives.

Opening the summit, Environment Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa said the gathering comes at a critical moment for the global climate agenda as countries race to meet targets under the Paris Agreement.

“This Summit comes at a defining moment for the global climate agenda,” Barasa said.

She noted that REDD+ has emerged as one of the world’s key mechanisms for reducing emissions linked to deforestation and forest degradation since the adoption of the Warsaw Framework in 2013.

George Tarus, Secretary for Forestry and National REDD+ Focal Point, addressing delegates during the Global REDD+ Summit in Nairobi, where discussions focused on strengthening global cooperation on forest conservation and climate action. 

The summit will focus on forest monitoring systems, safeguards, transparency frameworks, results-based financing and emerging carbon market opportunities.

Barasa said the meeting also offers countries an opportunity to strengthen cooperation and share practical solutions on forest conservation and climate financing.

Kenya is using the summit to showcase its own progress in REDD+ implementation, including becoming the first African country to launch a National REDD+ Registry aimed at improving transparency and accountability in carbon transactions.

The country has also developed a National Safeguards Information System and REDD+ nesting guidelines to align carbon projects with national climate goals.

“As we move closer to 2030, there is an urgent need to accelerate action, mobilise finance and ensure that forest-dependent communities benefit meaningfully from climate action initiatives,” Barasa said.

The three-day summit is expected to shape future global cooperation on climate financing, forest conservation and implementation of REDD+ initiatives worldwide.

Organisations represented include the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD), VERRA and the ART Secretariat.