Data collection, information sharing and capacity building

Cooperating agencies: FAO, UN-DESA, UNESCO, UNFCCC Secretariat, UNU

• Development of the Forest Resources Assessment (FRA), a comprehensive data collection on the state of the world"s forests scheduled for release in 2010;
• undertaking global remote sensing survey of forests and establishing an information gateway providing easy access to remote sensing imagery;
• examining the role of biosphere reserves in demonstrating and assisting in the development of REDD strategies and practices;
• generating baseline information at the global and regional level on trends in the rate of deforestation, afforestation and natural expansion of forests over the past 30 years;
• developing a global framework and methodology for monitoring forest change.