Sudan Strategy on Climate Change to be Presented to the UN in September

UNEP-Sudan and Forests National Corporation (FNC) with partnership with the British Council conducted a one day validation workshop on “Sudan Reducing Mission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) strategy” on 7th March 2012, at FNC-Sahel Hall in Khartoum.

The workshop was started by open remarks from UNEP Sudan Country Manager, MR. Robin Bovey that he welcomed the participants and partnership between UNEP, FNC and British Embassy on REDD+ consultancy, also stated the importance of multi- stakeholders and co-benefits on REDD programme , congratulated the FNC and HCENR  commitments on REDD+ and Climate Change, and concluded his remarks by wishing the consultancy and coordination teams  to  achieve fruitful results on REDD+ in Sudan. Then the FNC- General Manager, Dr. Abedlazim Mirahani expressed his gratitude to UNEP and UNEP support on REDD and shed lights on the current Sudan status on forest degradation and REDD+ drivers in Sudan, and finally he requested UNEP and the British Embassy to support Sudan to submit its strategy to UN-REDD programme this year as planned.
 The Workshop programme included two sessions: 1) Session I contained two presentations from Dr. Hana Hamdalla (HCENR) presented review on CDM and REDD activities in Sudan, and Dr. May Eltayeb Ahmed (UNEP- Climate Change Focal point) briefed on UN-REDD Programme and Sudan REDD+ Initiative; and 2) session II the two Sudan REDD+ strategy consultancy team as  Prof. Hassan Osman (The national Consultant) portrayed  the Progress report on Sudan strategy Framework  Formulation Mission to five states (Gezira, Gadarif, the Blue Nile, Sennar and White Nile states) and Dr. Patrick Van Laake (an International Consultant)  presented an Outline of Sudan REDD+ Strategy.
The workshop was attended by more 80 participants who recommended establishing a REDD+ national team that involves all stakeholders from decision makers, non-governmental organizations, Donors, UN agencies, private sectors, indigenous and local communities including: governmental institutions, universities, private sector, NGOs, UN agencies, embassies.

During the consultancy workshop on “Sudan National Reducing Emission form Deforestation and Forest Degradation Strategy” on 7th March 2012, at FNC-Sahel Hall in Khartoum. Dr. May Eltayeb Ahmed, UNEP- Climate Change Focal point mentioned that UN- REDD programme is the United Nations a collaborative an joint initiative on “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) in Less developed countries LDCS. This Programme was established in 2008, in order to enhance the  developing countries prepare and implement national REDD+ strategies, and builds on resources and expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The UN –REDD programme supports 42 partner countries from Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. There are 14 have been received support to National REDD Programme.
Sudan has joined UN-REDD as partner in observer status in 2010 and started to develop its national REDD+ Strategy, which needs cooperative efforts of all governmental institutions, non governmental organizations, local communities, donor and UN agencies. 
Dr. Ahmed briefed on a drafted REDD+ initiative has been initiated by Forest National Corporation needed to be finalized and supported by the UN agencies during meeting will be held soon.
The Sudan REDD+ initiative is based on the specific aims that should be achieved according to current Sudan gaps as:
• Submitted the Sudan national Strategy in REDD to Policy Board in 2012;
• Increased national pool expertise in REDD and national strategy;
• Established data base information in MRV, safeguards and opportunity cost;
• Implemented  7 REDD  projects/community forests through sharing co benefits with local, indigenous people and other forest dependants;
• Clarified forest definitions and forests classification in Sudan;
• Increased 15% of forest cover  conservation and management in Sudan to decrease the forests degradation and deforestation;
• Increased participation of local communities in forests management and national strategy by defining co-benefits and responsibilities; and
• Implemented one investment project in carbon stock.

Dr. May Eltayeb Ahmed concluded that we need to link our livelihood needs with our forest management system, we need to protect our environment though sustainable development. This can be achieved through joint work, commitment and coordination. The role of UNEP is to support Sudan to develop its REDD strategy, National Adaptation Plan (NAP), also build its national capacities.