UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council, with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Over a decade ago, most countries joined an international treaty -- the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- to begin to consider what can be done to reduce global warming and to cope with whatever temperature increases are inevitable. More recently, a number of nations approved an addition to the treaty: the Kyoto Protocol, which has more powerful (and legally binding) measures.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Website of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity is dedicated to promoting sustainable development.

UN-REDD Programme

The UN-REDD Programme was launched as a collaborative initiative between the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The Programme’s main aim is to contribute to the development of capacity for implementing REDD and to support the international dialogue for the inclusion of a REDD mechanism in a post-2012 climate regime. The UN-REDD Programme will initially run until March 2010.

Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF)

The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) assists developing countries in their efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation--called REDD--by providing value to standing forests.

Many Strong Voices

The goal of Many Strong Voices is to promote the well-being, security, and sustainability of coastal communities in the Arctic and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) by bringing these regions together to take action on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to tell their stories to the world.

Climate Investment Funds (CIF)

Recognizing that UNFCCC deliberations on the future of the climate change regime are underway, including discussions on a future financial architecture and funding strategy for climate change, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) together with developed and developing countries and other stakeholders have developed the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) as an interim measure to scale up assistance to developing countries and strengthen the knowledge base in the development community.

Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

The Center for International Forestry Research is a nonprofit, global facility dedicated to advancing human wellbeing, environmental conservation and equity. We conduct research that enables more informed and equitable decision making about the use and management of forests in less-developed countries.

The Center for People and Forests

RECOFTC holds a unique and important place in the world of forestry. It is the only international not-for-profit organization that specializes in capacity building for community forestry and devolved forest management. RECOFTC engages in strategic networks and effective partnerships with governments, nongovernment organizations, civil society, the private sector, local people, and research and educational institutes throughout the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS)

The LINKS project builds dialogue amongst traditional knowledge holders, natural and social scientists, resource managers and decision-makers to enhance biodiversity conservation and secure an active and equitable role for local communities in resource governance. The survival of indigenous knowledge as a dynamic and vibrant resource within rural and indigenous communities depends upon its continuing transmission from generation to generation.

United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

UNDP is the United Nations' global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 177 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD)

The international community has long recognized that desertification is a major economic, social and environmental problem of concern to many countries in all regions of the world. In 1977, the United Nations Conference on Desertification (UNCOD) adopted a Plan of Action to Combat Desertification (PACD). Unfortunately, despite this and other efforts, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded in 1991 that the problem of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas had intensified, although there were ”local examples of success ”.

World Bank (WB)

The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. Our mission is to fight poverty with passion and professionalism for lasting results and to help people help themselves and their environment by providing resources, sharing knowledge, building capacity and forging partnerships in the public and private sectors.

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Established in 1966, we are a major source of development financing for the Asia and Pacific region.  With more than $17.5 billion in approved financing, and 2,800 employees from 59 countries, ADB - in partnership with member governments, independent specialists and other financial institutions - is focused on delivering projects that create economic and development impact.

Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)

Established in 1959, we are the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean, with a strong commitment to achieve measurable results, increased integrity, transparency and accountability. We have an evolving reform agenda that seeks to increase our development impact in the region.

African Development Bank

The AfDB, its sister international finance institutions, including those of the Arab world, and other partners are working with authorities in Egypt and other North African countries to build foundations for growth that are inclusive and sustainable.

International Finance Corportation (IFC)

IFC's Purpose is to create opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives by: Promoting open and competitive markets in developing countries; Supporting companies and other private sector partners where there is a gap; Helping generate productive jobs and deliver essential services to the underserved; Catalyzing and mobilizing other sources of finance for private enterprise development.

IFC/MIGA Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman

The Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman (CAO) is the independent recourse mechanism for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The CAO responds to complaints from project-affected communities with the goal of enhancing social and environmental outcomes on the ground

World Bank Inspection Panel

The Inspection Panel was established by identical Resolutions of the Boards of Executive Directors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA)  in 1993. In response to complaints from project-affected communities, the Inspection Panel is an independent, "bottom-up" accountability and recourse mechanism that investigates IBRD/IDA financed projects to determine whether the Bank has complied with its operational policies and procedures (including social and environmental safeguards), and to address related issues of harm.

Commission on Sustainable Development

The Division on Sustainable Development promotes sustainable development as the substantive secretariat to the CSD and through technical cooperation and capacity-building at the international, regional and national levels.