The May issue of the UN-REDD Newsletter opens with an article by Yemi Katerere, Head of the UN-REDD Programme Secretariat, who outlines why leaders and experts at Rio+20 must keep forests, and strategies such as REDD+, central in their discussions. It also features articles on anti-corruption efforts in Africa, the first South-South Exchange on Participatory Governance Assessment (PGA) for REDD+ in Asia-Pacific and work with indigenous peoples.

The Andean Community's biodiversity programme, BioCAN, is taking steps to construct a subregional coordination mechanism to combat illegal trade in Amazonian fauna and flora. CAN recently held the first in a series of workshops, which also will address sustainable management of priority species, conflicts related to wildlife management, and integration of the ecosystem approach to wildlife management.

The UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) South-South Cooperation Exchange Mechanism aims to improve access to information, best practices, methodologies, advisory services and training opportunities to enable communities to better manage their natural resources and local environment. The online database is expected to strengthen partnerships between sustainable development projects in developing countries.

A UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) report analyzing the vulnerability and exposure to climate change of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) coastline finds not only are some Caribbean islands fully exposed, but other countries have important vulnerabilities in terms of population centers, crops, key infrastructure and important ecosystems.

According to a letter from the National Secretary Brazilian Organizing Committee, hotels in Rio de Janeiro have agreed to cost reductions for accommodations during the upcoming UNCSD meetings in the city. In addition, package deals are no longer obligatory, and reimbursement for overpayment may be requested.

Under the one-year agreement, Brazil's Ministries of the Environment (MMA) and Cities (MC) will help UN-HABITAT develop projects in the areas of sanitation, large-scale production of social housing and urban mobility through a series of studies, publications and meetings to discuss and elaborate recommendations in the three areas.

The First Latin American and Caribbean Dialogue on Climate Finance and Development Effectiveness was organized by the Government of Honduras, with support from the EU through its EUROCLIMA programme, the Latin American Development Bank (CAF), World Bank Institute, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE), among others.

In its assessment of the impact of Tropical Depression 12-E on Central America, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) explores possible policy responses in areas such as food security, watershed management, flood protection control, early warning systems, land use planning, threat mapping, building codes, payment for environmental services and risk pooling.

A report from the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) suggests that public-private partnerships (PPPs) can be key in mobilizing investment in non-conventional renewable energy in Latin America if access to financing and transparent, consistent legal frameworks are in place.

The Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is seeking public input on key questions in its independent report on the trade, environmental and public health policy implications of in the recent increase in transboundary shipments of spent lead-acid batteries between Canada, Mexico and the US.