Introduction
Mitsuo Matsumoto (FFPRI)

Opening Session

Introduction
Mitsuo Matsumoto (FFPRI)
I hope that today’s program is very meaningful and productive, and that discussions arefuture-oriented. I would like to take a few moments to explain the program’s background andobjectives.

To begin, the REDD concepts began with Avoided Deforestation as presented at the 2005 COP11.
The Paris Agreement of COP21 took place 10 years later. During that time, Avoided Deforestation
became known as REDD, which then became known as REDD+. This was followed by the Cancun
Agreement 1 and the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ 2 . These small steps to gain worldwide
agreement formed the background for the Paris Agreement. This agreement was epoch-making.
Although I had hoped 10 years ago that such a worldwide agreement would occur, I was doubtful ofthe possibility. REDD+ was clearly established in Paris Agreement. The importance of forests andtheir roles as carbon sinks and reservoirs was recognized and included in the preamble of the ParisAgreement. This was very heartening news for us.
The establishment of forest reference emission levels/forest reference levels 3 (FREL/FRL) hasprogressed in each country for one year. These benchmarks are necessary for assessing each country’s
REDD+ activities. However the preparedness, monitoring systems, future activities, and policies arealso reflected in the reference level concept. By analyzing the reference levels, we can see eachcountry’s respective government’s future intentions and visions. Through analysis of each country’sreference level, we can infer the country’s thought process, as well as the intent to create policies aimed
at advancing the goals of REDD+.
In addition, project-level activities are underway in Japan and the rest of the world. In Japan, two
JCM mechanisms are already officially underway. The Paris Agreement once again recognized thatvoluntary activities are important for countries to reach their objectives. We have also reached an1
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http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2010/cop16/eng/07a01.pdf
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2013/cop19/eng/10a01.pdf

https://unfccc.int/files/land_use_and_climate_change/redd_web_platform/application/pdf/redd_20
141113_unredd_frel.pdf

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Opening Sessionagreement on a framework to determine how credits earned using the JCM may be used. However, inprinciple, REDD+ requires activities at the national or sub-national levels. We still face the challengeof determining how this will be specifically translated into the specific projects at the national andsub-national level. We would like to proceed with this background in mind.

As to the objective of today’s program, the REDD+’s past and present will be reviewed andshared. Of course, this includes sharing the international negotiations that took place up to COP21, as
well as the reference levels. Post-2020 REDD+ strategies will be the basis for today’s discussion. I
would like to discuss the future direction of REDD+. Honestly speaking, today’s discussions will bevery technical and future-oriented, and they will require considerable expertise. We will certainly
discuss issues that have yet to be shaped for further development. Therefore, today’s discussions willbe very stimulating.

Based on these objectives, we have prepared today’s program. First we will review REDD+’s pastand present. The first keynote speaker will be Dr. Sanz-Sanchez, who has been active for the past 10years with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 4 (UNFCCC), as well as with
the Food and Agriculture Organization 5 (FAO). Indeed, she is the most appropriate person to discuss45

http://unfccc.int/2860.php
http://www.fao.or.jp/index.html

42Introduction
Mitsuo Matsumoto (FFPRI)

Opening Session

these issues.
In session one, experts from various countries will share their latest REDD+ reference levels
situations. I would like to hear about each country’s thought process and strategies for creatingreference levels.
In session two, we will learn about scaling projects up to the national level, along with the current
challenges. I am sure that gaining knowledge on these projects will provide us with important insights
into the future.
We are also very pleased to have Dr. Ma Hwan-Ok of ITTO as the moderator for the panel
discussion session: “The Future of REDD+ under the Paris Agreement.” We have prepared a list ofquestions related to this theme and we welcome participation from those in the audience.

I hope you will all enjoy today’s program. Thank you very much.

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