To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how the Congo Basin Fund is being spent in support of forest conservation; whether he has had discussions with other donors on contributing to the fund; and what the relationship of the fund is to the Forest Carbon Partnership Fund managed by the World Bank. (210097)

The Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF) will be launched on 17 June 2008. Governments, civil society and private sector organisations will be eligible to apply for funding once the fund has been launched. Proposals will be assessed against the following criteria: innovation, slowing deforestation, reducing poverty and conformance with the COMIFAC (Central African Forest Commission) Convergence Plan.

In addition to the initial £50 million contribution to the CBFF, the UK has allocated up to £8 million to fund start-up activities, the nature of which are under consideration.

The fund has been welcomed by donors who are already active in the region. In addition, we have held discussions with the Norwegians, US, Japanese and French on contributing to the fund. We are also considering collaboration with other donors under start-up activities.

The Congo Basin Forest Fund and Forest Carbon Partnership are both resourced from the Strategic Climate Fund which will be housed at the World Bank. Officials are in constant dialogue to ensure synergies arise from the contributions that both are planning to support.