GEFIWR2R/RSC.5/WP.15Date:October19,2020

Original:English Fifth Regional Steering Committee Meeting (Virtual) for the GEF Pacific International Waters Ridge to Reef Project entitled: RidgetoReef–TestingtheIntegrationofWater,Land,Forest&CoastalManagementtoPreserveEcosystemServices,StoreCarbon,ImproveClimateResilienceandSustainLivelihoodsinPacificIslandCountriesSuva,Fiji,October22nd–23rd,2020

What’s next COVID-19 and Post-R2R? – Panel Recommendations

TheCommitteeisinvitedtoconsideroutcomesandrecommendationssetoutinthispaperinmakingyourdecisionrelatedtothismeetingtheme.

Session 6 – Looking ahead COVID-19 and post R2R

Outcomes & Recommendations

Havingconsideredanddeliberatedonthepapers,participantsresolvedandagreedonthefollowingdecisions:-

1. Participants considered and reflected on key points in the paper relative to progressing projectimplementationwithin the current Programme scope and the supporting role of the RSTC in theremaininglifeoftheprojectendinginSeptember30th,2021.

2. Participants discussed a broader vision and strategic directions and agreed for a follow upstreamlined next phase post R2R. Participants recommended that the Committee endorse a nextphaseoffutureupscalingR2RinvestmentsandICMplanningrelativetopost-R2RandCOVID-19.

3. Participants recommend that thenext R2Rproject focuses only onpriority focal areas supportingresearch & development, capacity building, and replicating innovative technologies anddevelopment measures that upscaled and replicated thereby securing ecosystems goods andservicesfollowingtheR2R-climateresilientapproachandinclusivegreeneconomicpathway.

4. Participants considered and endorsed a further no cost extension of up to 12-months fromSeptember 30th 2021 subject to UNDP policies to deliver on the project outcomes, and use theopportunity to explore further concept note for phasing in strategy to be considered at the nextmeetingsoftheRSTC&RSCin2021.

ANNEX 1:

RECORD OF DISCUSSION – SESSION 6 ON 16th OCTOBER 2020

Opening & Prayer

1. The virtual Pre-RSC Panel/Breakout Session 6 was hosted at the EQAP conference (SPCbuilding,Suva)onthe16thofOctober2020.Twenty-one(21)participantsrepresentingthenationalSTARand IWR2Rprojects,partnersandobserversattended thesession.The listofparticipants isappendedasAnnex1. 2. R2R-RPCU staffs, Mr. George Naboutuiloma offered an opening prayer for the virtualinformationsessionandMrSamasoniSaunifacilitatedSession6:

Overview Session 6 – Looking ahead COVID-19 and post R2R

3. The Secretariat introduced the session outlining purpose and expected outcomesparticularly in relation to future directions in the current COVID-19 climate and post R2R. Thefollowingguidingquestions:• Discussandaskquestionsforclarificationsontimelines, specific tasks and associated outputs?• Discuss and provide inputs into the concept paper, whether there is interest to support

designing a more streamlined R2R project in upscaling future R2R investments and ICMplanning?Endorseapreferredoption.

• Discuss and endorse afurtherno-costextensionofupto12monthsfromSeptember30th2021.

Presentation1: RSTC Chair’s Report 2020 – highlights, challenges and opportunities - WP: GEF IW R2R/RSC.5/WP.02

4. Prof Marcus Sheaves stated that in WP.02 there are issues to deal with when movingforward.HegoesoverthehighlightsandstatedissueswithCOVID-19,andthattherewasaneedforinnovativetechnologies.ProfSheavesfurtherstatedthatthisisnotatrivialtechnicalissuebecauseeverybodywashavingtoadapttoremotewaysofgettingthingsdonethroughdevelopmentofhighlevel of skills in using such technology within the Pacific Islands. Prof Sheaves also emphasizedreviewing sampling designs and from there how to achieve best practices and upscaling ofinvestments.Thiswouldbeveryimportantfortworeasons:a. Doing things in cost effective ways and to understand the central issue to standardise and

replicate this indifferent regions, consideringandunderstanding thecontextualdifferences sothatthedatacollectedacrossregionsareindeedcomparable.

b. TostarttheconversationoffundingsupportforfutureR2Rinvestments i.e.outcomesthatarereal such as scientific peer reviewed publications as this iswhat underlines the quality of theactivities.

5. Prof Sheaves encouraged balancing between pure science, social science, traditionalknowledge,communitytocabinetdynamicswhenlookingattheR2Rsystemandtounderstandthepeople’s needs. He also encouraged the acceleration of mainstreaming R2R to understand thatneedsofthePacificregionconsideringthenaturaldispersionofitsconstituentislands.

6. ProfSheavesnotedthechallengesofscienceandresearchintheregion.Theseissuescouldbe addressed by having in-country panel of experts who can do the first level of peer reviewedresearch and can contribute knowledge and high quality of data for twinning future R2Rinvestments.7. Prof Sheaves gave the recent example in the Caribbeanwhere, to protect their “ridge-to-reef” environment, non-local people built up the local capacity with the purpose that themajorproductionofoutputswouldbefromlocalcapacity inthefuture. ProfSheaves furtherstatedthatthere is a need for monitoring and evaluation of research and science to identify indicators forstreamliningtoeasily,transferrablereplication.Healsonotedthattherewouldbelimitationswhenextrapolatingonewatershedtotherestofthewatershedscenariosintheentireisland.8. Prof Sheaves further mentioned that to inform the next phase, R2R needs emphasis onlessonslearnedtounderstandthesuccessesandlearnfromthoseespeciallythemulti-culturalandwidelydistributednatureoftheregion.ProfSheavesnotedthatitwasimportanttoseesupportfortheprogram,postR2R.Henotedthatthismaybefundablebysomeorganizationsandthat itwasnotexpectedthattherewouldbebigoutcomesinoneroundandatimescaleof10–15yearswouldbeexpectedtogetthingsworking.9. Prof Sheaves noted that in a post COVID-19world, that the reduction of travel costs andremotecommunicationarelessonstolearnfromaboutwaysoftacklingthesetypesofrestrictions.Discussion 10. MrSamasoniSauniacknowledgedthehighlights,opportunitiesandsuggestedwayforwardwouldleadnicelyintothenextpaper.Healsoencouragedtheuseofthechatboxortoraiseone’shand(virtual).11. Dr.JoePadillaremindedParticipantsofthepreviousIWRMprojectfrom2009,statingthatmostofthedownsidescoveredinR2RwerealsocoveredinIWRM.Ithasbeenmorethan10yearspassedwhilerunningprojectsinthesamearea.WhileheagreedwithProfSheaves,DrPadillastatedthatsomestressreductiontargetimpactscouldonlyberealizedinamuchlongerperiodandstatedthat itwouldhavebeenuseful tomonitorprogress thatwas covered in IWRM.He further addedthat11years isa reasonable time to see someprogress in the stress reduction targetsandmademention of theweak baselining activity in IWRM and that it would be difficult inmeasuring anyimpactsatthistimeandalsoduetosomeweakimplementationaswell.12. Prof Sheaves reiterated that in recognition of the fast-changing world on the ground,institutingoneassessmentinplace,say5-10years’time,maynotbepractical.Healsostatedthatitis a very complex issue and to focus on carrying out activities in a standardizedway asmuch aspossible.13. MrSauniacknowledgedtheinteractionbetweenProfSheavesandDrPadilla,whichisusefultoguidestrategicthinkinginfuturedirectionsofR2Rinthisregion.14. MsRhondaacknowledgedthecountryrepresentativesinthevirtualmeeting.Sheaddressedthepoints fromthepreviousspeakerswithregards toR2Rnotpickingupall thesites fromIWRM

buta lotof important lessonstolearn.MsRhondafurthernotedthePacificCommunityforOceanScience(PCCOS)whichwasestablishedtohave lessduplicationofscientificactivities intheregionthroughpartnershipswithothernationalandinternationalbodies.15. MsMariafromCookIslandsSTARR2Rprojectbelievedthattheprojectwasdoomedfailurefrom the start becauseof its poordesign. Theprogrammatic approachwasnever really observedand implemented and there is disconnection between STAR and IW R2R projects. She supportstechnologicalandscientificadvancestoinformpolicyinecosystemgoodsandservicesfromridgetoreefandbeyondtoEEZandhighseas.16. MrJoseAntoniosupportedtheinterventionofDrPadillaintermsofmonitoringthepreviousIWRMsitesandmentionedthatmonitoringrequiresfinancialresources. Ifthiswasincludedinthecurrentprojectdesignandthatresourcesareavailable,hewouldbekeentoperformmonitoringtodeterminethe impactsof the IWRMproject (ex-post)after11yearsof implementingtheprojects.ThefactofthematteristhatmostdemonstrationsitesoftheRegionalIWR2RprojectarenotthesameasthatofIWRM.17. Dr Padilla stated that in the IWRM R2R project, themonitoring is part and parcel of theproject. He also wondered whether there were baselines from IWRM and the status of thisinformationin2020whichwouldshowwhetherinterventionshaveanimpactwherebaselinesexist.18. MrAntoniomadeknowntheMTRrecommendationnumber2indicatingtheneedtoreviewtheimpactofpreviousIWRMinvestmentswiththeobjectiveofderivingfurtherlessonslearned.

Presentation2: What’s next post R2r and COVID-19 - WP: GEF IW R2R/RSC.5/WP.15

19. The Secretariat introduced RSC.5/WP.15 and referred participants to the keyrecommendations.Thepaper isparticularlyseekingconsiderationforthenextphasepostR2RandCOVID-19,andaproposalfornocostextension. Discussion20. DrMangisi-Mafileoencouragedinputsfromthenationalprojectsatthisstage.SheopenedthefloortoProfSheaves.21. Prof Sheaves believed that the issues are to do with capacity and the different levels ofengagement from thepeople involved. Prof Sheaves emphasized that itwas very clear in generalthat themorewillingpeople in the countrieshadmoreoutcomes. Itwas important toencouragepeopletoengagewiththeissuesforthefutureofthecountriesand,thoughitmaynotbeeasy, itwasimportanttobehonestaboutthissituation.22. MsMariaaskedwhetheriftherehadbeenasecondnocostextensionofthissort.ShealsosupportedProfSheaves’pointsontechnologicalscienceandfullysupportthenotionputforwardbyProfSheavesinusingmoretechnology(relatingtovirtualcommunication).MsMariaalsowelcomedthe points regarding mainstreaming R2R and using experts in-country. On Dr Padilla’s pointregardingIWRMandR2R,MsMariabelievedthattheR2Roriginallyasetuptofail.TheCookIslandswouldmost likely be supportive of a no cost extensionbutwould like towork on thedisconnect

betweenR2R STARand IWand findways to “shrink thenet”. It is important toworkwithotherregionalprogramsandmadementionofSPREPandIUCNandstatedthatthebestwayforwardwastostrengthencommunications. MsMariaalsomentionedduetothepoliticalchangesintheCookIslands (newPrimeMinister), that the transitionprogressand thepriorities surroundingR2Rwereslowlypickingupnow.23. Dr Joe Padilla of UNDP Bangkok thanked for the presentation and provided severalobservationsassetoutbelow:-a. IWRM was quite successful and achieved lots more if compare to current R2R which is

ambitiousandrealisticallydifficultandchallengingtoimplementandachievetargets.HehadtotampertheaspirationsofthosethatwereleadingthedesignofR2RatthetimeandtheseaspirationswerecarriedbythesuccessesofIWRM.

b. KeytotheimplementationissuesandproblemsweunderstandnowistheCOVID-19andhighturnoverofstaffsamongstotherpossiblechallenges.

c. Lessonslearnedandaspirationstoascertainwhatworkedandnotareimportantinassessingtheoverall impacts.Recall the intentionoftheR2Rproject is totestmethodologiesandtheaspiration is drawing from lessons learned fromR2Rwherewhatworks andwhat doesnotworkwillbeidentifiedandwhatworksinthePacific intermsofupscalingandaddressingofenvironmentalissues.

d. ThereisinclinationtofinishquicklytheprojectandtapGEF-7cyclenotgoodideabecauseofprogressofimplementationandstateofachievingprojectobjectsandoutcomes

e. GEF-7 running out and UNDP currently supporting two projects for the cycle – FFA tunaprojectandnewfollowupIslandtoIsland(I2I)project.ThelatteriscurrentlybeingprocessedincollaborationbetweenUNDP,UNEandADB

f. TheGEFfundingearmarkedfor2021underinternationalwatersisoverUS$20millionandI2IproposalistargetingUS$10-15million.ThePIFonthisprojectwillbesooncompletedandsendtoGEFSecretariatforprocessing.

g. To qualify for a GEF funding under a next phase project, the current R2R project mustcompletealltherequirementsfirstwhichincludesterminalevaluationcompletedtosupportanextphaseproject.With the currentproposal for ano-costextension theactualdatesmaymovefromcurrentcommencementdateofFebruarytopossiblylaterintheyear.

h. Consequently,anextphaseprojectorprogramcouldtargetGEF-8cycle if theRSCapprovesandsupportsanextphase.Concerningtheconstraintsraised, itwashisrecommendationtofocusonimplementingthecurrentprojectandmakinguseofcurrentavailablefunds.

i. UNDP policies provides for only a one-off extension for a max 18-months (only 15mthsgranted),andthathasbeendonealreadylastDecember.

j. With COVID-19 theUNDP policies can allow 6-months extension but agree to a 12-monthsextensionasproposed.

k. Ideasmoving forward –where countries are unable to fully utilise their country allocationsthenconsidergivingitupandtransfertocountriesshowingcommitmentsandneedformoreresources;inthepresentationwedon’tknowexactlyhowmuchistheregionalfund,weneedto know so we can transfer to country projects to support project work and COVID-19responses.

24. DrPadilla respondedtoMsMariastating theonetimeextensionof18monthswhichhadalreadybeenapplied to thisprojectand forCOVID-19, there isaUNDPpolicyofamaximumof6monthsthereforehewasnotsurewhethertheywouldallowforanextensionlongerthan6months.

DrPadillaalsoremindedtheparticipantsthatanyunutilizedfundsafterextensionmustbereturnedtoGEFandhewould liketomakesomesuggestionstogoaboutspendingthesefunds instead.HefurtherstatedifthereissomethingthatcouldbetabledtotheRSCwherereallocationoffundsfromonecountry toanothercouldbeapossibility.DrPadillaalsomentioned thepossibilityof regionalRPCUcontrolled funds tobereallocatedto thenational IWR2Rprojects.Hestatedthat thesearetwowaystoacceleratetheuseoffundsfromnowtillthepossible6monthsextensionperiod.25. Dr Padilla also addressed the possibility of finding ways to address COVID-19 in theirrespective countries which could be aligned with the project. Referring to the theory of change,somethingcouldbetranslatedintocountrylevelandinterventionscouldbeidentifiedandCOVID-19couldbealignedtocertainoutcomesandoutputs.26. MsRhondathankedDrPadilla for thecomments.ShementionedthatsherecognizedthatGEF7 isnotpossibleandthatSPCwasawareofthis.ShealsoreassuredcountrycounterpartsandpartnersthatSPCwouldlikeabroaderfundingportfolio(couldbeGEF8).MsRhondastatedthatitwas important to note that thework thatwas being donenowwould generate lessons to betterunderstandandinformthedesignprocessforprioritiesmovingforward.Sheemphasizedthatthenocostextensionisnottodrawoutadditionalfundingbuttouseupthecurrentfunding.27. Participants also noted that as an organisation and executing agency of the R2R the SPCSecretariat consultedwidely andbouncingoff ideasmoving forward in this spaceof internationalwatersfocalarea.Unfortunately,theSPChasnoknowledgeoftheI2IuntilwesoughtdetailsfromUNDPSuvaOfficeinourlastinternalmeetings.AsasecretariatforallSPCcountriesandterritorieswe are alsomandated to engage strategically with our own plus GEF focal points explore futuredirectionsinthespaceoffurtherfollowupinfutureR2Rinvestmentsanddevelopmentplanningforourcountriesandthisregion.28. Moreover,theSPCisquitehappy, ifthere ispositivesignalfromRSCthisweek,toexplorepreferred option further and start the conversation engaging with partners particularly targetingGEF-8,EU,Aust/NZ,GreenClimateFund,andothertraditionaldonors.Weintendtocommencethissoonadecisionismadetomobiliseresourcesandgettoworkthedesigns.29. Mr Antonio thanked Dr Padilla in informing everybody on using the unused funds fromCOVID-19 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Mr Antonio informed Dr Padilla on the MYCWPworkingpaperandtobemindfulthatthecountriesmentionedinMrSauni’spresentationslidesthatsomeofthecountriessuchasPalauarenowclosed.MrAntoniostatedthatdespitePalaubeingthebestperformedIWR2Rproject,therewerestillsavingsthereandemphasizedthatthe200Kismorethanenoughtoproduceoutputs.MrAntoniofurtherstatedthattheRPCUiscurrentlyplanningandwilllookathowfaritwouldbepossibletoassistcountriesandasMrSaunihadalreadymentioned,haditnotbeenduetoCOVID-19,theregionalactivitiesandconsultancieswouldhavebeencarriedoutanddelivered.MrAntonioemphasizedthatwhatmatteredthemostwasdeliveringoutputsandachievingoutcomes.MrAntoniostatedthetobemindfuloftheabsorptivecapacityofcountriesandthe flexibility of allocating resources needed most to create a humongous effect in terms ofproducing results. Mr Antonio also encouraged to produce outputs cohesively and feasibly in acoherentmannerinordertoillustratewhatbestpracticesweretestedandachievedinthebestwaytogovernnationalresources.

30. MrSaunistatedthattheprojectwasnotbeingredesignedbuttryingtocompletetheprojectasisandstatedthattheremainingfundsintheprojecthadalreadybeencommitted.WP.08ofRSC5focusedonputtingmoneyinnationalcapacityfortechnicalresourcesandassessmentinsciencetopolicy deliverables. Mr Sauni also stated that GEF 8 is another donor but always opportunity toapproachotherdonors.HestatedthatthisdiscussioncanbeputtogetherforplenarytoinvestigatestrategicdirectionsforthisWorkingPaper.31. DrPadillastatedthattheonlyreasonforthereallocationoffundsisthecontextofadaptivemanagement due to COVID-19. Thiswas raised in the tunamanagement projectwhere countriesmentioned thatmost activities in country required international travel by consultants. He furtherstatedthathislevelof“competence”isintheareaofGEFbutacknowledgedthepossibilityofotherdonorsandcountriesthemselveswhich ispartoftheexitstrategythatcouldbesustainedbeyondthe life of this project. He also noted that there weremore than 15 projects on his portfolio soapologizedthathecouldnotreadallthedocumentsregardingtherelevantpaperinthisprogram.32. Dr Cenon, Technical Advisor to Fiji STAR projectmade a point emphasizing the need andsupport for both IW/STAR R2R projects, which appears to be a bottleneck impact progress ofimplementation. For instance, in Nauru both IW and STAR R2R projects appear to working indifferentdirectionsand intheirowngroupings. TheSecretariatreferredParticipantstonumerouseffortsof theRPCU-SPC todistil theprogrammaticapproachdriving implementationof theentireR2R program. This includes joint boards or steering committees, sharing and exchange ofinformation and data, etc. Unfortunately, there are numerous ‘talks’ on this subject but lack ofaction is disappointing. For instance, a guidance document prepared for Nauru IW R2R seekingreviewandendorsementfromSTARprojectdidnotmaterialised.33. Regardingtheprogrammaticapproach,MrAntonioemphasizedthatitisabouttimethatwemust“walkthetalk”andstatedthatsinceNovember2017untilthepresentday,ithadalwaysbeenabout “talking” and not “walking”. Mr Antonio recalled in trying, to the best of their ability, inadvocating setting up a joint steering committee and encourage national projects to pursue aprogrammaticapproach,workingharmoniouslywiththenationalgovernmentinmainstreamingR2Rinplanningand/orpolicy.Mr.Antoniowas referring to thediscussionswithDr.CenonasCTA forboth Nauru and Fiji STAR projects. In Fiji for example, theMOA that was signed by SPC and theMinistry ofWaterways and Environment serve as basis for interacting with STAR project. In thatMOA,aprovisionindicatedfortheneedtoestablisha jointsteeringcommitteeforbothSTARandIW.34. Moreover,MrAntonio explained thatdue to theMOA, in theearly stageof STARprojectimplementation, the technical staffofRPCUwere supporting theFiji STARproject (i.e.monitoringand communications). Later, the joint steering committee did not function anymore but insteadurgedtohaveaseparatePSCforeachproject-STARandIW.TheadvocacyofRPCUhasbeenwellrecordedintheminutesofmeetingoftheFijiSTARprojectsteeringcommittee.Hestatedthatitwastimethatthingsweredonetogetherthroughthelessonslearnedandasaprogram(andnotjustIW).MrAntonioemphasizedthattimeandagain,RPCUhaveofferedtheirservicestoallSTARprojectsandexpressedthathewasnotsureofthereasonfromtheperspectiveofSTARastowhythisofferhadnotbeentakenupasSPChadalwaysbeenopentohelping.

35. DrMangisi-MafileostatedthattherewillbeapresentationontheMYCWPcomingthroughasagreedinRSClastyear.Shealsostatedthatthelackofcollaborationandreasonsbehinditisalsolessonslearned.Shefurtherencouragedeveryonetolookattheguidingquestions.36. MrSensonacknowledgedtheRPCUandthechallenges fordifferentcountries.Stated thatUNDPcannotdeny the challenges.Healso stated thathewould send thedocumentsand lessonslearned.MrSensonstatedthathesupportedtheextension.37. DrMangisi-MafileoacknowledgedSenson’sinterventionandexcitedaboutreceivinglessonslearnedfromPNGandencouragedeveryonetosendsummaries intobe includedandopensflooragainforguidingquestionsandanyinputsfortheconceptpaper.38. SammyofSoloIWprojectmadeanexcellentpointthatanyextensionrequestedmustonlylink to theremainingactivitiesandnotnecessary foranythingelse.TheSecretariatsupportedthisandencouragedeveryonenot to seekextension for anythingelseother than to completeprojectwork,andleavingatleastonemonthbeforeterminationdateforprojectclosurework.39. Siliaof Tonga IWproject refer tooutstanding regional activities yet tobe implemented inTonga which may be a problem given the project terminates in March 2021. The Secretariatexplained that given the current circumstancesmostnationaldemonstrationsare feelingpracticalchallenges. A formal request is needed from host agency seeking more time and extension ofterminationdatejusttofinishoffoutstandingprojectactivities.40. EvaynefromNauruIWclarifiedthatunlikewhatisbeshared,NauruIWandSTARcontinuesworkingandsharingworktogether,andmanytimessheapprovedSTARprojectforhelpregularly.Therehavebeensomedelayswith IWprojectdue tocontractor’savailabilitybutprogressingwelloverall.41. SiliaaskedwhataretheyCOVIDtypeactivitiesfollowinginterventionsfromDrJoePadillatotransferfundsfromregionaltonationalprojectsforCOVID–wouldthesebeadditionalactivitiesandthereforeuseofsavingfromCOVIDintheregionalbudgettobeusedthisway?42. MsRhonda stated that she thoughtDrPadillawas speaking to thenatureof delivery andcontentofwork thatmustbedone.Given travel restrictions,whathad theproject teamdone fordeliveryofactiononthegroundconsideringthis.E.g.workplanning,zoomtrainingasopposedtofacetofacetraining.Hastheteamconsideredthemodelgiventhesituationofthetravelrestrictionsandnationally,regionallyandinrelationtotherevisedMYCWP.43. The Secretariat also responded that theworking paper onMYCWP provide details of theCOVIDstrategyresponsereprioritisingofprojectoutputs/activitiesandusingalternativemodalitiestodeliverontargets.Wearenotredesigningtheprojectatthisphasingoutperiodratherwearere-allocating resources appropriately in accordance to the same project goals and objectives andoutcomes.44. ParticipantsfurthernotedthatthenocostextensionproposalispartoftheCOVIDstrategythat would provide more time for the project to complete implementation and allow refocus ofregionallydrivenactivitiesof the science-policy theoryof change focusingonlyon committedandactive 6 countries to deliver on IDA/SoC/SAP/SAF process. As reflected in theMYCWP resources

have been reallocated already for to support the renewed focus COVID strategy with fundssupporting local consultants to deliver to carry technical assessments and complete theIDA/SoC/SAP/SAFprocess.45. Moreover,theSecretariatexplainedthatwearealltoofamiliarwiththeprocessoftheR2Rproject planning and budgeting such that we follow a multi-year costed workplan with annualapproval on revisions particularly based on the status of the previous 12-months implementationandassociatedimpactsonbudgetingandforecasting.Forexample:-

(i) Current fundsremainingwithSPCof theregional IWR2R includesbothunpaidtranchesof

participating countries, unpaid invoices of JCU for R2R course, unpaid invoices ofinternational/nationalconsultants,etc.,whichareonholdtherequirementsforthedeliveryand reporting against the work set out in contractual agreements including supportingdocumentations (and stamped signed invoices etc) etc are being completed satisfactorily,productsdelivered satisfactorily . Todate the levelof compliancehasbeen relativelypoorwith RPCU continually left chasing after these late submissions and supportingdocumentationstosatisfiesrequirementsoftheUNDPas implementingagencyandSPCastheexecutingagency.

(ii) Thatsaid,ifallplayedoutappropriatelywithtimelydeliveryofworkplansandproducts,andnoCOVIDoroperationalchallengessuchasprocurementsetc.,andasmentionedbysome,high turnover of staffs, project objectives and outcomes would have been delivered andprojectclosedasoriginallyintended.WithcurrentpaperonMYCWPallfundsarecommittedwiththerenewedstrategyandunderstandablySPCisawareoffundsremainingwillneedtoreturntoUNDPandthatisalreadyfactoredintocurrentplanningandbudgeting.

(iii) Soifthereispushtotransferfundstocountriesbeyondtheir$200Kbeyondwhatsetoutinthe project document, then we seek decision of the RSC, at the current late phasing outperiodof theproject to tellusexactlybasedonwhatyousee theproposedMYCWPwhatprojectoutputs/activitiesyouwanttoseeremovedorzeroedfundallocationsandtransferthattoremainingtranchesofcountryallocations.AlsowanttoseewhatthesefundsgoingtouseforinrelationtoachievingstressreductiontargetsalreadyagreedandapprovedbyRSC.And what guarantee is there that COVID-19 and restriction of movements people andcargoeswouldnotbearanyinfluenceonadditionalactivitiesthatusetheseadditionalfunds.

(iv) Frompastexperiences,SPChasbeeninthereceivingendpickingupthepiecesasaresultofsimilar advice as mooted in this discussion without consideration of the implications andrealisticimpactifunabletounabletoreportontheappropriateuseofresourcesthatstrictlygovern by approved logframes andMYCWPs – i.e. deliver on intended project objectives,outcomesandtargets.

(v) On the suggestion to take funds from poorly performed countries and give to advancedcommittedcountrieshasbeenattemptedbefore.AsreportedlastyearattheRSC,theRPCU-SPC priority is to continue supporting all 14 countries in their demonstration projectsrecognisingoperationalchallenges–noonewillbe leftbehind. Ifnot forCOVIDwewouldhave delivered and helped countries speed up implementation. Our rating ofimplementationprogress at ‘moderately satisfactorily’ speaks to these efforts.However, ifinsisted,thenbetterproponentofthequestionputthesamequestiondirectlytocountries.

46. DrMangisi-Mafileoreflected inPoint2 forthefloor.StatedthehighlightbyDrPadillaandMrSaunion theFFAmanagementproject I2IUNEP,UNDP,ADB.Perhaps takeapollwhetheryouendorsenumber1or2orspecificoutlineinanypaper.(5minutes)47. DrMangisi-Mafileostateditwouldbegoodtohavesomeindicationtoexpresswhichoptionto leantowardsand incontextwithinnationaldevelopmentplans.She furtheracknowledgedthatsupervisorsneedtobepromptedand invitedtoput inthechatboxand invitedforquestions.Shewouldbehappytoelaborateonanyfurtherquestions.48. MrSauni recalled that in thediscussionsearlier in theweekwhenpresenting the regionalguidelines,thereweresomegoodinterventionsfromthefloorandsomerecommendationsthatledtopossiblenextphase.StatedthatRMIsupportedtoolsbeingdevelopedand looked intotools in-countrytotrainandsupporttogetthemodeloutputsapprovedbypolicymakers.ThetraininganduseoftoolsbytechnicalpeopleonthegroundtodepicthotspotsandwhereareascanbeselectedforconservationactionswereallpartofinterventionsfromMsDebrum.49. Moreover,thediscussionsearlierintheweekespeciallyinterventionfromMrPeneConwayonwhat todowith the toolsonmaking themavailable tonon-experts and tobepackaged tobeused and commercialized by interested entrepreneurs. In the same vein, Dr Guiang spoke onreinvestingbacktoR2RbybusinesshousesfollowingsuccessfulR2Rpolicyinterventions.TheWP.08set out specific areas in streamlining the next phase – e.g. paragraph 14 (formal and informalqualifications couldbeelevated toMastersor PhD).Mr Sauni stated thatUSP strongly supportedthat those with relevant qualifications to develop standards for piggeries and instead of usingstandardsfromtheUSandEuropetoaddresscontextualkeyquestions.Hestatedthatthepromiseofmonitoring and evaluation and current R2R and predecessor IWRM is part and parcel for nextphase for R2R and IW interventions and hoped that his current elaboration on thematterwouldhelpwiththeirinterventions.50. Participants noted the following results on the preferred choice of options noting clearmajoritysupportforoption2:a. MsLegersupportedOption1and2withconditions(notspecified)b. MrSensonoptedforOption2c. MrAirahuioptedforOption2d. MrPadolinasuggestedOption2asawayforwarde. MsSibapersonallysupportedOption251. MrSauni closed themeetingand stated thatdiscussionswereextremelyencouragingandnotedUNDPfortheinputsandfoodforthought.HestatedthatintermsofrecommendationstherewillbeadraftoutcomeandrecommendationstobeframedappropriatelyforthoseinthechatboxandbySaturdaytoreviewoutcomesby11.59PM.EncouragedeverybodytoalsoattendRSTC.52. Dr Isoa stated that in the second phase it was important to have these projects withoutgetting people on the ground. He further emphasized in having institutional memory and R2R iscomplexso,justlikeinthegovernment,theyhaverepsthatlookaftersomeofthesesites.

53. MsRhonda closed themeeting by thanking everybody for their time and discussions andacknowledgedthesetheseprebriefingsessionshelpedfocusandformedwhattotaketotheproperRSCmeetingsnextweekandlookedforwardtoseeingeverybodyfacetofaceinthenearfuture.

Annex 1: List of Participants

Country Affiliation Name

PNG IWR2RProject MarkSensonSolomonIs IWR2RProject SammyAirahuiFiji GEM-SPC CarrolChanFSM IWR2RProject FaithSibaUNDP RegionalTechnicalAdvisor DrJoePadillaAustralia JCU ProfMarcusSheavesPhilippines Consultant Dr.ErnieGuiangFiji CTASTARR2RProject Dr.CenonPadolinaVanuatu IWR2RProject EricksenPackettRMI STARR2RProject JenniferDebrumFiji UNDP JosuaTuraganivaluRMI UNDP FrancisWeleCookIslands

MaraeMoana MariaTuora

Nauru IWR2RProject MsSiliaLegerFiji SPC-RPCU MrSamasoniSauniFiji SPC-RPCU DrFonongaVaingaMangisi-MafileoFiji SPC-RPCU MrJoseAntonioFiji SPC-RPCU MsVereBakaniFiji SPC-RPCU MsSwastikaDeviFiji SPC-RPCU MrJohnCarreonFiji SPC-RPCU RatuGeorgeNaboutuiloma