Forest Day is hosted annually on the sidelines of the UNFCCC Conference of Parties. It aims to ensure that forests are high on the agenda of global and national climate strategies, and that those strategies are informed by the most up-to-date knowledge and experience. The event, now in its fifth year, has become one of the most influential events on forests worldwide. With a broad agreement on REDD+ put in place during the U.N. climate change talks last year, the focus of negotiations is shifting to the next level of detail in the design and implementation of REDD+, as well as adaptation programs. This year's Forest Day will have a particular African focus, looking at the humid forests of the Congo Basin and elsewhere, and the continent's wide expanses of dry forest areas. The need for greater awareness of the latest research on Africa's forests is underscored by predictions that the continent will be hit hard by climate change. Following are the main themes to be focused on at Forest Day in Durban: How is REDD+ unfolding on the ground? An exploration of the social, political, and biophysical issues Exploring reference levels and monitoring for REDD+: Early country pilot activities Financing opportunities and issues for mitigation and adaptation (focus on private sector) Biodiversity safeguards in REDD+ Landscape approaches - Change and adaptation in African drylands: reversing deforestation while contributing to food security Landscape approaches - The place of agroforestry, afforestation and reforestation in REDD+ Social safeguards: protecting the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples and forest-dependent communities in REDD+ Addressing gender considerations in climate change adaptation and REDD+ efforts Among the speakers will be dozens of the world's leaders and experts, policymakers and private sector representatives, advocates and donors - all aiming to inform the global climate agenda. For more information visit www.ForestDay.org