REDD PROCCESS IN DRC: Evolution, challenges and prospects By Jean ILUNGA MUNENG Ministry of Environment / DR CONGO M

1. REDD PROCCESS IN DRC: Evolution, challenges and prospects By Jean ILUNGA MUNENG Ministry of Environment/ DR CONGO May 18 2011, Hanoi (Vietnam)

2. Synthesis • DRC continues its preparation of REDD+ policies in line with its ambitious projects • Coordination of technical and financial partners in national process has begun • Additional resources are essential to ensure national REDD+ efforts continue

3. Plan 1. Structures - National Committee - Inter-ministerial Committee - National Coordination 2. Achievements - Identification of stakeholders - Information, education and raising awareness: workshops - Technical studies - R-PP 3. R-PP Implementation - Starting pilot initiatives and REDD register - Continuation of technical studies (SESA, studies of the causes, feedback experience, etc.) - Development of anticipated action plans 4. Challenges and lessons learned 5. Conclusion

4. 1.Structures A decree of the Prime Minister was signed in November 2009 creating: • A REDD national committee (14 members) involving all stakeholders, in particular members of Parliament, civil society, indigenous and local communities; • An inter-ministerial committee with Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment, Mines, Land Planning, Town Planning and Habitat • A REDD national coordination in charge of daily coordination for REDD, already being implemented

5. 2. Achievements 2.1 Contact With Stakeholders • Financial partners Norway, FCPF and FIP (World Bank), UN-REDD, CBFF, Japan, GIZ, AFD, OIBT, Rainforest Foundation • Technical partners OFAC-FORAF, OSFAC, USAID-CARPE, WWF, CI, AWF, WCS, UNIKIN, UNIKIS, UNILU, UPN, WRI, INERA, IFA Yangambi, WHRC, ONFI • Civil society Work Group Climate REDD (GTCR), environmental NGOs (RRN, DGPA, Linapyco, CODELT, CEDEN, OCEAN, PremiCongo, GTF, etc.) • Private sector FIB, FEC, NOVACEL, ENRA, SAFBOIS/JADORA, ESCO Congo, ERA

6. 2.2 Information, Education and Awareness Raising Workshops • Kick-off workshop in Kinshasa (August 21–22, 2009) • Provincial workshops (5): Kisangani, Bukavu, Matadi, Lubumbashi and Mbandaka • MRV workshop: organized by DIAF with FAO (October 2009) and with OIBT (July 2010) • Validation workshops for R-PP (January–February 2010) • Capacity-building workshop for journalists and • Decision-makers : Matadi, Lubumbashi, Mbandaka (2010) • Various academic conferences (UNIKIN, UPN, UNIKIS, UNILU, ISP Lubumbashi, ISP Gombe) • Capacity-building workshop : MECNT managers, Members of national and inter-ministerial committee

7. 2.3 Technical Studies • Study on the causes and drivers of deforestation and degradation in DRC • Exploratory study of REDD+ potential in DRC: REDD potential for each program and sector in order to better illustrate the systemic dimension of REDD strategy • Feedback experience on the alternatives to DD • REDD Environmental and Social Impact Study • National analysis of sectoral programs being implemented • Study on the framework of REDD implementation and distribution of benefits

8. 2.4 RPP

9. 3. Activities In Progress and RPP Implementation 3.1 Starting of Pilot Initiatives and REDD Register • Implementation of REDD+ geographically integrated projects • Register of REDD+ activities and financing in DRC • Implementation framework, accreditation process and contractual framework • Support and coordination of REDD+ projects and initiatives

10. 3.1.1 Geographically Integrated REDD Pilot Projects in DRC

11. 3.1.2 Register of Projects (Integration at the National Level ) • Seminar on certification presented in Cancun and finalization of the technical details • Pre-collection of data for first REDD+ projects (see census) • Training program of the executives of the DDD/DES for registry management

12. 3.1.3 Process of accreditation and contractual framework Proposal for agreement on the procedure and criteria for a transparent and participative accreditation process for REDD+ projects in consultation with stakeholders 3.1.4 Support and coordination of REDD+ projects and initiatives Constitution of a first inventory of REDD+ projects and initiatives in DRC (12 projects - and several initiatives; including 6 under implementation). Joint work with the project leaders in the framework of the investment phase

13. 3.2 Studies under implementation • SESA (REDD Evaluation study of environmental and social impacts) • Diagnosis of causes and drivers of deforestation in DRC • Analysis of sectoral programmes • Feedback experience on alternatives to deforestation and forest degradation

14. 3.3 Development of anticipated action programs Preparation and launching of six anticipated REDD+ programs: • Reduction of subsistence agriculture impacts on forest • Improvement of energy efficiency in wood stoves • Aforestation/Reforestation in the provisioning basins of the big cities • Modernization and land security • Support implementation of a national policy on land and town planning • Integrated program at the Mai Ndombe district level Framing and development of partnerships for operational projects: • Workshop “REDD+ and Private Sector” (February 2011, 60 participants) • Finalization of the support program for REDD+ projects: prospective listing of potential partners, supports of communication, ToR of the future international forum of project leaders, ToR for support for project development • Launching of the census of activities and partners at the local level

15. 5.Challenges and Lessons Learned for the REDD+ National Process • To simultaneously advance preparation and investment to maintain and accelerate national mobilization; coordinate financial and technical activities and to reinforce technical quality and participatory preparation • To manage REDD+ national process as a start-up: adaptation and flexibility, change management, innovation • To strengthen the national leadership and the engagement of international partners to encourage coordination between multilateral institutions and bilateral donors • To mobilize international financing to accelerate the readiness process; challenges are exacerbated by the delay of the disbursement of the FCPF grant, difficulties in coordinating programs under implementation and support of the national roadmap

16. Moving Forward • Continue the efforts of national coordination, to reaffirm the principle of “unique process” • Concretize the goodwill of partners into action • Agree on additional financing to directly support the readiness process • Move forward with a broader framework of the REDD+ process by reinforcing the relationship between environment and climate change

17. Conclusion: DRC at a Crossroads? REDD+ can constitute a lever for true sustainable development, in a socially and ecologically responsible manner. • The process of transformation is complex and naturally imperfect • National authorities ready to engage • International financings is a determining factor of credibility • The place of REDD+ in the national post-electoral development strategy will be largely determined by the credibility of the international financings. There is one year more to go.