NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has made history by hosting the inaugural Global REDD+ Summit in Nairobi, bringing together 59 REDD+ countries, four donor nations, and 14 international organisations in a major diplomatic push to accelerate global action against deforestation and climate change.
The high-level meeting has drawn leading climate institutions, including the Green Climate Fund, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, the UN-REDD Programme, and the UNFCCC Secretariat, signalling growing international support for forest-based climate solutions.
Opening the summit on Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Deborah Barasa described the gathering as a defining moment for global forest governance and climate cooperation.
Barasa said Kenya’s selection to host the first-ever summit reflected the country’s growing influence in climate diplomacy and environmental leadership.
She linked the recognition to Kenya’s ambitious target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032 and restoring degraded ecosystems across the country.
“Kenya is deeply committed to sustainable environmental stewardship and global climate action,” Barasa said.
She noted that Kenya’s forests, mountains, savannahs, and coastal ecosystems remain critical for biodiversity conservation, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
The summit comes at a time when countries are under mounting pressure to implement commitments under the REDD+ framework, which supports efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation under Article 5 of the Paris Agreement.
Barasa said REDD+ has evolved into a central global mechanism for forest conservation since the adoption of the Warsaw Framework in 2013. However, she warned that rising deforestation rates and intensifying climate risks require stronger financing, transparency, and international cooperation.
The latest Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement has also renewed pressure on governments to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030 as part of broader climate mitigation efforts.
Over the next three days, delegates are expected to deliberate on national REDD+ strategies, safeguards systems, forest monitoring mechanisms, transparency standards, and access to results-based climate finance.
The summit will also examine the relationship between Article 5 and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, particularly on carbon markets and voluntary carbon crediting systems.
Barasa called for stronger partnerships among governments, donors, and climate institutions, while backing the establishment of a UNFCCC REDD+ Community of Practice to strengthen technical cooperation and knowledge sharing among participating countries.
Kenya used the summit to showcase progress in forest governance reforms and climate accountability systems.
Among the milestones highlighted were Africa’s first National REDD+ Registry, a National Safeguards Information System, REDD+ nesting guidelines, a National REDD+ Strategy, and a strengthened National Forest Monitoring System.
“These achievements demonstrate our commitment to transparency, integrity, and accountability in climate action,” Barasa said.
She added that forests should not only be viewed as carbon sinks but also as essential resources for water security, biodiversity protection, livelihoods, and cultural heritage preservation.
The summit has brought together governments, donor agencies, civil society organisations, Indigenous Peoples representatives, and carbon market actors in discussions expected to shape the future of global forest finance and climate policy.
Kenya’s hosting of the inaugural Global REDD+ Summit further cements Nairobi’s growing status as a hub for international climate negotiations as countries race to meet 2030 climate targets and develop sustainable pathways to end deforestation.
