Lima, July 10 (Andina-RHC) -- Senior officials from 53 countries are gathering in Lima, Peru to review forest conservation initiatives and discuss future conservation efforts worldwide, within the framework of the UN-REDD Program’s Policy Board annual meeting held prior to the COP20 Summit.

The United Nations collaborative initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD ) in developing countries will bring together partner countries representatives and international experts.

This 12th meeting will provide the platform for the exchange of experiences and decision-making process for future proposals on a global scale.

The program, a joint action of the three Participating UN Organizations (FAO, UNDP and UNEP), supports nationally-led REDD processes and promotes the informed and meaningful involvement of all stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples and other forest-dependent communities, in national and international REDD implementation.

The UN-REDD Program currently supports 53 partner countries across Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean.

To date, the UN-REDD Program’s Policy Board has approved a total of US$67.8 million for National Programs in 18 partner countries. These funds support the development and implementation of National REDD Strategies.