GOFC-GOLD is a coordinated international effort to ensure a continuous program of space-based and in situ forest and land cover observations to better understand global change, to support international assessments and environmental treaties and to contribute to natural resources management.

The meeting focused on the current discussions post COP11-UNFCCC on the feasibility of compensation for tropical countries to reduce deforestation following the first commitment period and the role of EO in facilitating this process (ie monitoring of deforestation etc.).

GSE Forest Monitoring contributed actively and Chaired related working sessions which developed proposed technical issues related to the role of EO in monitoring and mapping tropical deforestation and degradation, as well as organizational issues in the context of policy formulation for the post Kyoto reporting period. These contributions will be compiled for the report from GOFC GOLD to be submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat for consideration by March 31 2006.