The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR)-Kenya, and Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) in partnership with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organized the 1st Regional Forum, in Kenya from the 1st to 3rd February 2017 under the framework of the regional cooperation of the Kenya-JICA “Capacity Development Project for sustainable Forest Management in Kenya (CADEP-SFM)”.

The Forum was a follow-up of two major events that took place in Kenya in 2016, namely: The Preparatory Meeting for TICAD VI in July and the launch of the Initiative in Nairobi in August during the TICAD VI.

Main topics discussed in the Forum were the Terms of Reference of AI-CD, and how to promote networking, knowledge sharing, and better access to finance under the initiative. Participating countries also shared their good practices on combating desertification and drafted country action plans.