The approval and endorsement of the Global Programme Framework document comes after several months of robust consultations with Policy Board members, which resulted in a fully revised version of the Framework document, incorporating comments and suggestions of UN-REDD Policy Board members and observers. The original version of the Framework document was first presented to the Policy Board in March of this year.

The Global Programme Framework document, with a budget of US$51.5 million over two years, lays out how the UN-REDD Programme's global-level activities aim to support the design and implementation of nationally-led REDD+ strategies in UN-REDD Programme partner countries. The Framework document states that, "the central goal of the UN-REDD Programme's National and Global Programmes is to support the efforts of partner countries to develop and implement REDD+ strategies. It is at this country level that the REDD+ concept is taking shape and making the most tangible inroads."

The UN-REDD Global Programme Framework seeks to benefit all UN-REDD Programme partner countries simultaneously by developing and delivering knowledge-based services, products and expertise that support countries as they progress through the phases of REDD+, from initial readiness to full implementation. The expected impact of the Global Programme is to help partner countries establish sufficient capacity at all levels to design and implement results-based REDD+ actions and use their own natural resources in ways that maximize the multiple benefits of forests, including poverty alleviation.

The Framework seeks to operationalize the UN-REDD Programme Strategy 2011-2015, through technical support to countries in six interlinked work areas:

1. Measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) and monitoring
2. National REDD+ governance
3. Transparent, equitable and accountable management of REDD+ funds
4. Engagement of Indigenous Peoples , civil society and other stakeholders
5. Ensuring multiple benefits of forests and REDD+
6. REDD+ as a catalyst for transformations to a green economy.

These six works areas address the pillars for consistent REDD+ frameworks. Work on governance, stakeholder engagement and ensuring the multiple benefit of forests are critical for the UN-REDD Programme as a catalyst for inclusive and transparent national frameworks that can lead to more sustainable and equitable development paths.

"The UN-REDD Global Programme Framework document reflects the broad view of the Programme that REDD+ is not only an instrument for climate change mitigation but also for developing sustainable, inclusive, country-driven development strategies," says Thais Linhares-Juvenal, Senior Officer of the UN-REDD Programme Secretariat.

The Global Programme Framework addresses contents of the Cancun agreements and helps partner countries to place forests into a broader development context. Moving forward, the UN-REDD Programme will continue to consult with Policy Board members in order to further define how the Global Programme framework will be delivered. To this end, the Programme plans to have a productive discussion at its upcoming Policy Board meeting in Berlin in October, to further clarify certain areas of the Framework on which Policy Board members requested more information. The Programme sees these next steps as an opportunity to continue to engage in an important dialogue, resulting in p rogramming that is in tune with countries' needs and encouraging stronger country ownership of UN-REDD Programme support.