GoB and FAO sign the Project Document on “REDD+”

18/03/2015

Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and FAO-UN, Bangladesh signed a key project document on “Strengthening National Forest Inventory and Satellite Land Monitoring System in support of REDD+”, to build the capacity of the Bangladesh Forest Department to monitor the state of forest resources in the country. The global REDD+ programme (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is concerned with conservation and sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks. The project is funded by a contribution of USD 6.5 million from USAID.

The financing agreement was signed by Mr. Mike Robson, FAO Representative in Bangladesh and Mr. Mohammad Mejbahuddin, Senior Secretary, ERD in the presence of representatives from USAID, Bangladesh Forest Department and the related ministries of the government.

On behalf of the government, Mr. Mejbahuddin welcomed the initiative to build institutions necessary for forest monitoring unit, and highlighted the importance given by government. Ms. Ramona El Hamzaoui, Director, Economic Growth Office, USAID Bangladesh stressed the importance of this baseline work, and highlighted the additional contribution to be made by the US Government’s SilvaCarbon Programme (including partners such as NASA and the US Forest Service). Mr. Robson, FAOR, focused attention on capacity building of the relevant Government institutions. He also added that it is absolutely central to have a baseline to determine whether the situation of forest carbon stocks are improving or not, and that FAO has been working for some years now in a strong and constructive partnership with the Forest Department.