International workshop on Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): opportunities and challenges for the forest sector in Sub-Saharan tropical Africa

ITTO, the Ghana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Forest Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) are pleased to host this event, which will cover a wide range of issues related to investment opportunities in natural forest ecosystems and renewable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The workshop will be interactive, and will bring together international experts, potential investors and a wide range of stakeholders, to discuss and develop strategies to assist Sub-Saharan Africa’s effective participation and involvement in forestry-related CDM projects and activities to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

To be held in Accra, Ghana, workshop registration will start on Sunday, 1 October 2006. The first official day of the workshop will consider background to the development of CDM forestry in the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, as well as current trends in research in CDM forestry covering global experiences in this area.

Day two will discuss models or examples of best practice mitigation projects including renewal energy projects, opportunities and challenges for private and public sector investments in climate change mitigation projects and the prospects for establishing a greenhouse gas emissions market for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Day three will work under four groups focusing on: CDM policy issues for Africa; capacity building for Africa in CDM projects; attracting investment into CDM projects in Africa; and reducing emissions from deforestation. A field visit to observe some of the potential CDM forestry project sites near Accra is planned in the afternoon of the third day. The provisional program is available below.

On the final day, a group of experts will meet to discuss follow-up activities to enable Sub-Saharan Africa to effectively become involved and participate in CDM projects.

Sponsors

Common Fund for Commodities, Government of Finland, Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco), Swiss Intercooperation Agency, United States Government