©Bobo/Ricki Martin

PALANGKARAYA, Indonesia (20 September, 2011)_Representatives from the Governors’ Climate and Forest Task Force (GCF) will meet for their fifth annual meeting in Kalimantan today to discuss sub-national and provincial efforts to tackle deforestation and develop REDD+ schemes.

“We are hoping to learn a tremendous amount about the progress being made at the federal and state levels and how sub-national governments are leading the way and building comprehensive approaches to REDD”, said William Boyd, GCF Secretariat at an opening press conference today.

The GCF is collaboration between 15 states and provinces from Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, and the U.S. focused on developing recommendations for policymakers and regulatory authorities considering ways to integrate Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and other forest carbon activities into emerging greenhouse gas compliance systems.

The three day meeting in Palangkaraya, Kalimantan will bring together over 200 representatives and experts from the GCF member states to share knowledge and discuss the challenges of designing and implementing Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation schemes (REDD).

“The GCF 2011 meeting is an important signal to Palangka Raya, Indonesia and the world that progress in REDD+ is moving fastest at the Provincial and State level”, said Teras Narang, Governor for Central Kalimantan, in his opening address.

Central Kalimantan plays a central key in Indonesian REDD+ policy and is currently the “Pilot Province” for REDD+ readiness activities. The provincial government has been working closely with Indonesia’s national REDD+ task force to develop strategic programmes and ensure community consultation on REDD.

“The GCF plays a key role in helping Central Kalimantan and other GCF states and provinces further develop and coordinate activities between national and sub-national level REDD+ implementation and build on our existing commitments”, he added.