The Paris Agreement highlighted a strong role for forests in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and finding new opportunities for REDD+. In this plenary session at the 2016 Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit, panelists discuss how the region can work together to support Nationally Determined Contribution commitments made under the Paris Agreement. The role of government was a particular focus, including approaches for policy, governance and regulation to sustainably manage forests.

Moderator: Patrick Durst, Senior Forestry Officer for Asia and the Pacific, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Presenter: Nur Masripatin, Director General of Climate Change Management, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia

Panel speakers:
· Henning Hj. Johansen, Minister Counsellor – Deputy Representative to ASEAN, Norwegian Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia
· Peter Holmgren, Director General, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
· Justin Lee, Deputy Head of Mission to Indonesia, Government of Australia

Leaders in public, private and community sectors from across the Asia-Pacific gathered to discuss the future of the region’s forests at the Summit held from 3-5 August.