Project News

Lao PDR submitted the National FREL Report to the UNFCCC in January 2018 under extensive support of F-REDD. The Assessment Team (AT), which consist of two experts of ‘Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)' selected by UNFCCC, is currently assessing the report. After the initial correspondences through emails from February to March, a TV conference was held during the ‘assessment weeks', two weeks, in late-March between the AT and Lao side (Lao drafting team supported by F-REDD). After the intensive discussions during the ‘assessment weeks', the exchange of opinions is still ongoing through emails. Lao PDR will submit the modified FREL report by the end of May 2018 reflecting these discussion results. Then, the AT will reassess the modified FREL Report and will have further discussions with Lao PDR. Finally, the final assessment report will be released in November 2018.

In the future, when Lao PDR applies for the REDD+ results-based payments, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the assessed FREL will become a benchmark for Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of the emissions reduction and removals. Therefore, this assessment activity is recognized as important by the Lao counterparts.

TV conference with the Assessment Team