CONGO (REPUBLIC)

REDD+ IMPLEMENTATION

Forest Solutions Realized: UN-REDD assisted FONAREDD, the National Fund for REDD+, through a combination of technical and institutional support. This included advisory support to the Technical Committee of FONAREDD, which is its main portfolio management body. In addition, UN-REDD provided strategic and operational advice for enhancing implementation and synergies in various investment and reform programmes financed by FONAREDD, particularly on land use policy, transition to clean energy and integrated development in the former Orientale Province. Finally, UN-REDD supported FONAREDD with pipeline development by assisting with the design of four project proposals for the FONAREDD 2022 Call for Expression of Interests (land-use planning; energy; carbon markets and NDC; forests and agriculture).

With regards to safeguards, UN-REDD assisted the country with the drafting of the first safeguards’ summary of information, which was submitted to the UNFCCC (now available on the REDD+ Info Hub). DRC continued its efforts to operationalize the elements of the Warsaw Framework by finalizing its Safeguards Information System (SIS). The country now has a dedicated website that documents and reports on progress related to safeguards and showcases significant achievements. In December, 2022, DRC also submitted its first BUR with a REDD+ Technical annex.

Forest Solutions Rewarded: UN-REDD provided technical assistance to relevant governmental agencies to foster mechanisms for partnership and multi-sectoral coordination for the development of a carbon markets scheme in the DRC. A training manual for effective engagement in carbon markets was developed, along with a situation analysis identifying specific capacity needs for DRC’s effective engagement in carbon markets, and a roadmap on carbon market support for the DRC. At the same time, the country continued its discussions with Emergent regarding the LEAF submission.

Forest Solutions Enhanced: UN-REDD supported the government with the development of the NDC implementation roadmap, as well as aligning the FONAREDD portfolio to LULUCF targets and its revision, especially on land-use sectors.

CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Similar to previous years, the continued COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt national and field processes, as well as the ability of the UN-REDD Programme to provide timely and qualitative technical assistance to the country. In-country missions took place in 2022, and DRC remained active in its endeavours, with UN-REDD using digital means and in-country experts to keep the mentioned streams active.

GENDER AND SOCIAL INCLUSION

Under the leadership of the Vice Prime Minister in charge of Environment (VPM – MEDD), DRC established a Task Force with different actors, including CSO representatives, to deliver on REDD+ and the LEAF proposal. Through the Task Force, DRC conducted several stakeholder consultations to gather inputs on REDD+ activities and UN-REDD TA. This Task Force was involved in a series of consultations throughout the development of safeguards elements for TREES assessment.

PARTNERSHIPS

UN-REDD work carried out in 2022 benefited from the partnership with the Ministry of Environment and FONAREDD through the Task Force established by the VPM-MEDD. FONAREDD played an important role in coordinating with UN-REDD team and all members within the Task Force, but also provided contents building on existing projects and programmes being implemented on the ground.

LINKAGES TO SDGS

The REDD+ activities in DRC contribute directly to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 15, with linkage to other SDGs such as poverty reduction, health and well-being, gender equity, hunger alleviation, and improving institutions.