GEF The Greenline - World Bank...MONIQUE BARBUT LETTER FROM THE CEO Dear Colleagues, One of the key lessons we have learned during the replenishment process is that our ultimate success

GEF The Greenline

http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/index.html[3/29/2011 1:11:13 PM]

MONIQUEBARBUT

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear Colleagues,

One of the key lessons we have learned during thereplenishment process is that our ultimate success willdepend on the relationship the GEF has with its partners:public sector, businesses and civil society deserve an equaland important role in this institution.

And it has been my experience over the past three years thatthere is no weakest link in this network: as we look back onthe reforms we have made and the results we have

accomplished each of our partners has been a change agent. More...

A UNIQUE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT FORNATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENTThe Government of Ghana obtained a grant from the Global Environment Facility(GEF) for a Northern Savannah Biodiversity Conservation Project (NSBCP) tosupport the conservation of biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, and the sustainableutilization of medicinal plants in the three northern regions of Ghana. More...

GEF-COUNTRY PARTNERSHIP:SAFEGUARDING DRYLANDS INTHE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OFCHINAMuch of the land area in northwest of the People’sRepublic of China (PRC) is arid or semi-arid, and

cover roughly 40% of the country’s total land area. These areas are highlyvulnerable to drought and desertification, and account for a significant proportionof land degradation in the country. More...

GEF INTERNATIONAL WATERSMEETING DISCUSSES RAPID

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Investing in LandStewardship

GEF's efforts to combat landdegradation and desertification globally

Investing inEnergy EfficiencyThe GEFExperience

FinancingAdaptationActions

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http://thegef.org/uploadedFiles/Publications/adaptation-actions.pdf



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GEF The Greenline

http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/index.html[3/29/2011 1:11:13 PM]

OCEAN WARMINGAs part of the GEF International Waters (IW) focalarea experience sharing and learning program, theFifth GEF Biennial International Waters Conferencewas held in Cairns, Australia October 24-29, 2009.

Co-hosted by the Government of Australia and the GEF, the Fifth Biennial IWportfolio conference is the latest in a series of such South-to-South learningmeetings of the GEF IW portfolio the last decade that have been held in Hungary,China, Brazil, South Africa, and now Australia. More...

NO TURN ON REDDForests have a huge potential for carbonsequestration and storage and currently, there ismore carbon stored in forests than in the earth’satmosphere. However, for the first phase of theKyoto Protocol (2008-2012), the importance ofexisting forests for climate change mitigation has

not been considered. Since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) stated in its Fourth Assessment Report in 2007 that deforestation indeveloping countries contributes about 20 percent of global greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions. More...

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CREDITSEditor: Patrizia CoccaContributing Editor: John WickhamContributing Writers: Mohamed I Bakarr, J.Quintana, F. Jalfim, L. C. Mattos, I. Cossio, M.Seely, N Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger,Zhihong Zhang, Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp,Sara Minelli

http://www.thegef.org/newsletter.html

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GEF The Greenline

http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/letter.html[3/29/2011 1:12:03 PM]

Monique BarbutGEF CEO & Chairperson

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear Colleagues,

One of the key lessons we have learned during thereplenishment process is that our ultimate successwill depend on the relationship the GEF has with itspartners: public sector, businesses and civil societydeserve an equal and important role in thisinstitution.

And it has been my experience over the past threeyears that there is no weakest link in this network:as we look back on the reforms we have made and

the results we have accomplished each of our partners has been a change agent.So as we move closer to the finish line I want to mention a few highlights of whatwe have accomplished together:

We are far more efficient. The time it takes for a full project to get endorsed isnow 12 months instead of 44.

We are more transparent. Since December 2007, the entire world can seethe project portfolio of the GEF via the Country Profile Page on the GEFwebsite. Moreover, the Operational Focal Points have also been able toaccess the details of all their projects that are under processing, so that theycan monitor progress to approval. The next step is to give access to the fulldatabase in the GEF to the Operational Focal Points so that they can trackthe status of the portfolio in all focal areas.

These operational successes have translated into environmental benefits:

GEF financing has provided a key catalyst to the achievement of the target of10% of the world’s terrestrial areas under protection (2,302 protected areas,634 million hectares). The GEF has been the largest financier of forests with$1.5 billion granted to forest initiatives, supplemented by more than $4.5billion in co-financing.

In the climate change arena, 2.5 billion tons of CO2 have been avoidedbecause of GEF projects —and at the right price. Overall, GEF climatechange mitigation projects are securing reductions of CO2 at about $1.62/tCO2, which compares favorably to, for example, CDM market prices forprimary CERs (future delivery), which range from $7.20 to $11.50/tCO2.

GEF projects have also led to the transfer of more than 30 environmentallysound technologies.

Finally, GEF’s work will lead to the environmentally-sound disposal of at least35,000 tons of PCB-related waste—along with 15,000 tons of obsoletepesticides.

And now through our collective efforts, we have a system that can be easilyramped up to keep up with the demands of an ambitious replenishment. Part

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of our vision for GEF-5 is an expanded role for civil society and business. Itmakes sense to further broaden the partnership to make fuller use of all of itstalent and energy.

These changes will allow the GEF to program a higher level of resources evenmore effectively in GEF-5.

The replenishment discussions have progressed along two main threads: first,how we can further strengthen the GEF partnership; and, second, how thepartnership can deliver more benefits for its clients effectively and efficiently. Thediscussions on both these points are well advanced; we are close to consensus.

On the policy front, GEF-5 will see the beginning of support to countries toprepare on a voluntary basis national GEF business plans that could provide aframework for GEF financing. I should stress that the plans are not mandatory.This recommendation emerges from the OPS4 finding that country ownership ishigher where country strategic frameworks provide a roadmap for GEF-financedactivities.

There are also proposals to widen the GEF partnership by providing access toadditional qualified entities; refine the approach to programs, and streamline theproject cycle; improving the flexibility of the resource allocation system; enhancingthe engagement with the private sector; implementing the GEF results-basedmanagement framework; and a proposal to enhance engagement with civilsociety.

Let me talk more about this last point. We see the role of CSOs as central to ourwork, and to our future. We envision CSOs as an integral part of the nationalGEF steering committees that will guide the preparation of the national GEFbusiness plans. The expanded constituency workshops that are being proposedwill include financing for the participation of a representative of civil society ineach country delegation. We hope this will allow a better dissemination andunderstanding of GEF policies and will provide opportunities for exchangesacross boundaries within each group.

In this manner there will be a much more direct way to actively participate in thedecisions taken on how best to use GEF resources to implement nationalenvironmental strategies; this reform will also ensure that the civil society willhave a much more active role in project execution.

Another very important project supported by the GEF that relates to Civil Societyis the Development Marketplace. The Development Marketplace is a competitivegrant program that identifies and funds innovative, early-stage developmentprojects with high potential for impact and replication. This year there were morethan 1,700 entries and the focus is on Climate Adaptation –$4 million in smallgrants was awarded to social entrepreneurs from 50 countries.

36th Council Meeting

I also am pleased to announce that an innovative new financial framework wasamong the decisions approved at the 36th meeting of Council, held inWashington DC, from November 10- 12.

In its decision on the System for a Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR),the Council agreed that the STAR for the fifth replenishment of resources of theGEF Trust Fund (GEF-5) would be applied to the focal areas of biodiversity,climate change, and land degradation.

The design of the STAR offers significant improvements over the current system(Resource Allocation Framework otherwise known as RAF); it will also greatlystrengthen country ownership of GEF programs by providing greater predictabilityof GEF resources for developing countries, together with greater flexibility inprogramming. With the new system, all countries are set to receive at theminimum US$2 million for climate change, $1.5 million for biodiversity, and $0.5million for land degradation.

This means that the minimum a country can receive is $4 million during the nextreplenishment period; they will further gain more latitude on programming

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resources. Similarly the maximum a country may get is $300 million for the abovementioned focal areas.

The STAR was not the only decision point for this Council meeting. We alsodecided on execution arrangements for the SGP and on a policy for upgradingcountries within the program.

SGP as you know is especially useful for small communities and we aim to havean expanded assignment from the core fund. Also, the upgrading of maturecountry programs will free core fund resources for starting up new programs thusallowing the SGP to cover most interested countries.

GEF-5 Replenishment update

I am happy to report that the participants are close to a final agreement on thefocal area and cross-cutting strategies, including a program on sustainable forestmanagement. Three financing scenarios, ranging from $4.5 billion to $6.5 billionare under discussion – these are pproximately 50% to 100% increases over GEF-4.

We are aiming to complete the replenishment process early next year and beready to commence GEF-5 in July 2010. I look forward to your support throughthe coming months. Indeed, I am encouraged that with your help we will be ableto take the GEF to a new level of service to our clients; they need us more thanever to help address global and local environmental challenges.

GEF The Greenline

http://www.thegef.org/gef/greenline/Nov09/NR2.html[3/29/2011 1:13:09 PM]

A UNIQUE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT FORNATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

The Government of Ghana obtained a grant from the Global Environment Facility(GEF) for a Northern Savannah Biodiversity Conservation Project (NSBCP) tosupport the conservation of biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, and the sustainableutilization of medicinal plants in the three northern regions of Ghana.

The project developed an innovative institutional collaboration system forimplementation. The project was implemented by the Ministry of Lands, Forestryand Mines (MLFM) in collaboration with a multitude of partners: the Ministries ofFood and Agriculture (MoFA); Health (MoH); Local Government, RuralDevelopment and Environment (MLGRDE); the Ministry of Science through theirregional and district agencies; a number of local and international NGOs; andseveral communities in the three northern regions.

Impact - Why Does This Matter?

Two biological corridors were established in a mosaic of terrains (savannahwoodlands, farm fallows and degraded land) with very different land uses.

In addition, the number of participatory communities and district assembliesincreased from a baseline of 28 to over 76. Management effectiveness ofprotected areas within the corridors increased, and biodiversity management hasnow been integrated into the core business planning of the participatinggovernment institution, along with increased institutional collaboration in naturalresource management.

And the indigenous crops and medicinal plants components identified over 26indigenous varieties from a baseline of 8. Over 240 farmers now cultivate the newvarieties from a baseline of 15. These farmers have been crafted intoconservationists, thus challenging the widespread perception of migrating farmersas destroyers of natural resources and insensitive to indigenous cultures.

Unexpectedly, the two wildlife corridors also spawned a good relationship alongthe biodiversity reserve corridors between the Ghanaian communities and theirBurkinabe counterparts, which will increase free movement of wildlife betweenthe two countries.

Insight - What's Innovative?

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The project solved what could have been a very difficult implementationarrangement. The synergies among the different agencies working togetherproduced outcomes that would not have been possible had the agencies workedin isolation.

The key to innovation lies in the appropriation of staff: each agency secondedone staff and paid his or her full salary to the Savanna Resource ManagementCenter to work full time on the project. This approach created cross-sectoralcollaborative opportunities to address the many conservation, environmental, andpoverty issues in northern Ghana.

Action - How This Might Work For You

This inter-institutional approach is highly replicable in other countries and regions,and holds important lessons for many other SD multi-sector projects.

However, of all the innovative project aspects, the secondment of staff fromdifferent institutions, paid by their mother agencies but collaborating to achieveproject goals, offers the highest potential for future successes.



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GEF-COUNTRY PARTNERSHIP: SAFEGUARDINGDRYLANDS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINABy Mohamed I Bakarr, Senior Environmental Specialist, GEF

Overview

Much of the land area in northwest of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) isarid or semi-arid, and cover roughly 40% of the country’s total land area. Theseareas are highly vulnerable to drought and desertification, and account for asignificant proportion of land degradation in the country. About 27% of thecountry (more than 2.6 million km2) is now affected by land degradation, resultingin livelihood risk and vulnerability for several hundred million people. A recentassessment of land use and degradation trends estimated that the area ofdegraded lands expanded at an annual rate of about 3,500 km2 between 1991and 2001. Land degradation is due mainly to a combination of unsustainableagricultural practices, deforestation, and mismanagement of water resources.

PRC-GEF Partnership on Land Degradation in Dryland EcosystemsGEF Investment (to-date): US$ 22.9 millionCo-Financing: US$ 378.62millionTotal Investment: US$ 400.91 millionParticipating GEF Agencies: ADB (Lead), IFAD, and The World BankProject Website:http://new.gefop12.cn/e/MilestoneEvents/ProjectChronology/tabid/88/Default.aspx

The Government of China considers this a major impediment to productivity andlivelihoods in rural areas and therefore tackles it as a national priority.

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In 2002, the Government of the PRC requested support from the GlobalEnvironment Facility to develop a “Partnership on Land Degradation in DrylandEcosystems” to foster a long-term, constructive approach for GEF investment intransformative actions on combating desertification in China. Under thePartnership, the GEF and other donors would support a 10-year (2003-2012)Country Programming Framework prepared by the Government to tackle landdegradation, reduce poverty, and conserve biodiversity through capacity buildingand model demonstration investment projects. The program is implemented bythe central government and brings together national and international partners,including three GEF Agencies: Asian Development Bank, International Fund forAgricultural Development, and the World Bank.

The program embraces an integrated ecosystem management approach toeffectively address land degradation and desertification in the context of otherglobal environmental concerns such as biodiversity and climate change. The goalof the partnership is to strengthen the enabling environment and promote anintegrated approach to enhancing the protective and productive functions andservices of dryland ecosystem resources in northwestern China. Overall focus ofthe PRC-GEF Partnership is on six provinces and/or autonomous regionsaffected by land degradation and desertification: Inner Mongolia, Gansu, NingxiaHui, Qinghai, Shaanxi, and Xinjiang Uyghur. The program was designed tosupport a sequenced set of projects during the 10-year period that will lead toinstitutionalization and mainstreaming of the IEM approach to safeguardingdrylands in the country. It is anticipated that the experience and lessons wouldserve as a model for advancing sustainable land management in the country andelsewhere within the region.

Creating the Enabling Environment

The first project funded and implemented under the PRC-GEF Partnership was aCapacity Building to Combat Land Degradation Project, which was designed tolay the foundation for subsequent investments in the CPF. As a result of thisproject, the Government of China is now effectively promoting the IEM conceptand approach as paradigm for increasing sustainability of productive land use inthe drylands. As noted in a recent report prepared by the PRC-GEF PartnershipCoordination Office, the Capacity Building Project has resulted in:

enhanced national and local capacities to combat land degradation,increased coordination among the central and provincial agencies,opened channels of cooperation from the central to the county levelagencies, and

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improved coordination between the sectoral plans and programs, andbetween central and provincial budgets.

Coordination of laws and regulations has been facilitated through formulation of alegal framework for combating land degradation at provincial and regional level,and the revision of relevant national laws and provincial policies. Landdegradation issues have been integrated into the provincial plans, strategies andaction plans for combating land degradation, and the participatory communitydevelopment plans. Mechanism for land degradation data sharing is now in place,and existing data resources from various sectors and in theprovinces/autonomous regions have been consolidated. At the same time,implementation of on-the-ground activities at pilot sites activities is empoweringlocal communities to combat land degradation.

Toward Transformative Impact

The PRC-GEF Partnership has developed four additional sub projects to build onthe successful introduction of the IEM approach and creation of enablingenvironment for implementation at multiple-scales. These additional projects willscale-up activities in targeted areas to deepen understanding of the IEMapproach for sustainable land use, increase policy and institutional reforms, andincrease cooperation and integration with other ongoing programs in and outsideof China. At the same time, efforts to promote and develop the concepts andprinciples to a wider audience at the central, provincial and local governmentlevels are continuing. These efforts are all geared toward achievingtransformative impact at scale, which is crucial for safeguarding ecosystemservices in one of the world’s largest dryland regions. The PRC-GEF Partnershipis therefore emerging as a model for constructive by engagement multiplestakeholders in tackling global environmental problems based on national levelpriorities. Amongst the important lessons already gained from the partnership arethe following:

Country-driven Framework – The development of a Country ProgramFramework by the Government was a vital starting point for engagement withthe GEF. This enabled the value-added of GEF investments to be moreeffectively articulated in the context of provincial and national development. In addition, the 10-year timing allows for the Government and partners tomore appropriately target co-financing options based on investment prioritieswithin the framework.

Innovativeness – The approach to combating land degradation was basedon principles for integrated ecosystem management, which meant thatinterventions could be designed to target multiple global environmentalbenefits. From the GEF perspective, the IEM approach increases thepotential for synergies across Focal Areas while at the same time facilitatingcross-sector and multi-agency engagement in natural resource management. This is essential for ensuring long-term sustainability of project interventions.

Institutional framework – The PRC-GEF Partnership has fullengagement of the Central Government, Provincial/Regional Administration,and Communities. As a result, the policy and legislative environment isinfluenced by grassroots realities in the regions affected by land degradation. This implies a high degree of ownership and accountability by relevantstakeholders, which is crucial for implementation of projects and scaling-upsuccessful interventions under the IEM approach.

Knowledge management – Application of the IEM approach isknowledge intensive, and this was recognized earlier on by the partnership. As a result, science has played a major role in defining targets, establishingbaselines, and designing interventions. The establishment of mechanism fordata management and sharing is therefore a crucial achievement in thisregard. The project has also reached out to other initiatives for synthesizingknowledge on best practices, tools for monitoring and assessment, andlessons from sustainable land management.

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GEF INTERNATIONAL WATERS MEETINGDISCUSSES RAPID OCEAN WARMING

As part of the GEF International Waters (IW) focal area experience sharing andlearning program, the Fifth GEF Biennial International Waters Conference washeld in Cairns, Australia October 24-29, 2009. Co-hosted by the Government ofAustralia and the GEF, the Fifth Biennial IW portfolio conference is the latest in aseries of such South-to-South learning meetings of the GEF IW portfolio the lastdecade that have been held in Hungary, China, Brazil, South Africa, and nowAustralia. This portfolio meeting attracted 66 active GEF IW projects and 282participants from 72 countries.

The themes of the meeting were climatic variability and change as well as results-based management. The IW portfolio discussed needs for incorporating climaticvariability and change into water resources and coastal management, exchangedexperiences about implementing their GEF projects, learned about techniques foradopting results-based management strategies as well as establishing indicators,and provided feedback to GEF and GEF agencies about their current concernsand future needs.

The GEF has piloted an innovative use of videos at the start of each day of theportfolio conference to capture participant expectations, summarize the day’swork, and receive feedback on how effective the sessions have been. Fullproceedings, presentations, and all “Reflections Videos” are being posted on thefocal area’s portfolio learning communications platform and website atwww.iwlearn.net. Please click on each day’s video for a flavour of how themeeting unfolded.

A series of pre-conference technical workshops were also organized by theGovernment of Australia and the GEF so that participants might learn more aboutthe challenges facing the Great Barrier Reef, aquifers, and the Murray-DarlingBasin in Australia. The same issues are facing GEF-recipient countries.

In particular, a UNEP/GEF/NOAA global assessment of the changing states ofour planet’s Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) was launched at the IWConference. A separate press release is included on the GEF website(www.theGEF.org) because information on unexpectedly rapid warming of theEarth’s coastal oceans was revealed as part of the assessment. Some of theplanet’s LMEs are warming at a rate 2-3 times faster than estimated by theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change based on 25 years of satellite data.

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The global assessment also underscored the excessive overfishing depleting themajority of coastal and ocean waters and the disruption of the global nitrogencycle with nitrogen pollution from agriculture and human sewage producing analarming increase in “Dead Zones” across the planet’s coastal waters.

A representative of the Barcelona Convention invited the participants to theMediterranean Sea LME for the Sixth GEF Biennial IW Conference in 2011.



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NO TURN ON REDD

Forests have a huge potential for carbon sequestration and storage andcurrently, there is more carbon stored in forests than in the earth’s atmosphere.However, for the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012), the importance ofexisting forests for climate change mitigation has not been considered. Since theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated in its FourthAssessment Report in 2007 that deforestation in developing countries contributesabout 20 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, forests have finallygained higher recognition in the international climate change debate. Today, thereis consensus that any future climate deal that does not fully integrate forests andsustainable forest management will fail to limit the rise in global temperature to nomore than 2˚C until 2100.

Reducing deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries isa highly cost-effective strategy currently under negotiation for a post-2012 climateregime. The basic idea behind this mechanism is that developed countries arefinancially compensating developing countries for maintaining their forests. Thegathering of more than 85 government representatives including 15 Heads ofState for a High-level Event on REDD chaired by the UN Secretary-General BanKi-moon this September in New York demonstrates very clearly that forests havefinally taken center stage in the international climate change discussion. At thisevent, there was overwhelming agreement that if funding levels will be adequateto allow for the sustainable management and conservation of large forest areas,REDD has considerable potential to become a win-win model for both,developing and developed countries. In an attempt to demonstrate the feasibilityof financing REDD, Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana stated that 1.5 cent of adollar per day from each person in an industrialized country would be enoughmoney to make REDD happen.

The Global Environment Facility is following the discussion on REDD with greatinterest and hope. Particularly the recent development of expanding thismechanism to REDD+ by including the role of conservation, sustainablemanagement of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks is very muchwelcomed by the GEF. As a financial mechanism for three differentenvironmental conventions (UNFCCC, CBD and UNCCD), the creation of multipleenvironmental and social benefits that include but go beyond carbon mitigationhas always been the primary goal for our investments in forests. Over the past 18years, the GEF has allocated approximately US$1.5 billion to forest initiatives,

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supplemented by more than US$4.5 billion in cofinancing. More recently, the GEFhas started several pilot projects and programs in the field of REDD+.

In that context, the Tropical Forest Account was launched in December 2007 as aUS$ 50 million incentive mechanism for countries in the three remaining regionsof large and mainly intact tropical forests (Amazonia, the Congo Basin and PapuaNew Guinea) to allocate substantive amounts of their country allocations towardsprojects seeking multiple benefits from forest management and conservation.Currently, we are in the process of finalizing a new SFM strategy for GEF-5,which will allow us to build an even more ambitious global forest initiative for thetime period 2011-2014, incorporating more explicitly climate change mitigationbenefits.

While the present article emphasizes heavily on the benefits that could potentiallyderive from REDD+, the GEF is also aware of the threats like increasingcorruption and land conflicts as well as methodological problems to monitor andverify actual deforestation rates, which the world might be facing under any futureclimate change deal fully incorporating the potential of forests for climate changemitigation. Nevertheless, turning back on REDD+ is not an option if our globalfight against climate change is to be taken serious. Rather, any major threat hasto be analyzed rigorously and appropriate mitigation measures must be deployedas this has recently been done during the process of expanding REDD toREDD+.



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UN BODY MAKES BREAKTHROUGHS TOWARDSADDRESSING DESERTIFICATION, LANDDEGRADATION AND DROUGHTBy Heitor Matallo, Hakan Marstorp and Sara Minelli

Bonn, 9 November 2009. After thirty years of cooperation, the internationalcommunity has began to make headway in addressing the effects ofdesertification, land degradation and drought, which affect over 2 billion people.Thanks to three breakthroughs at the ninth session of the Conference of theParties (COP 9) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD), science is set to guide policy, policy makers will focus on a concreteset of issues, and the international community will increasingly benefit fromcutting-edge science and knowledge on desertification, land degradation anddrought (DLDD).

Concerted global efforts to combat DLDD began in 1977 with the establishmentof the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification, which was further consolidatedwith the negotiation of the Convention in 1994. Over a decade later however,decision-makers still could not establish precisely what progress they weremaking in addressing DLDD.

Progress in the past was hampered, in part, by the scientific community’sdisagreement over the measures to use to assess change, and the multiplecauses of DLDD while its research remained fragmented. These constraints alsocontributed, to some extent, to the inability to mobilize sufficient political will toidentify a starting point for monitoring and assessing DLDD. The adoption in 2007of the 10-Year strategic plan and framework for the implementation of theConvention (2008-2018) sought to overcome these kinds of concerns.

Scientists and politicians began to address these three bottlenecks at the ninthsession of the UNCCD Committee on Science and Technology (CST) and its 1stScientific Conference that took place in September 2009 in Buenos Aires, and atCOP 9, which was held concurrently. On this occasion, Parties also took thedecision to continue reshaping the CST into a global authority on DLDD issues.

At the recommendation of the CST, COP 9 agreed on a set of eleven indicators –two mandatory and nine optional – to monitor and assess DLDD. Thus, starting in2012, Parties to the Convention will, at a minimum, report on the proportion of thepopulation living above the poverty line in areas affected by desertification, landdegradation and drought and on the status of land cover in these areas.

These impact indicators will enable parties to determine the progress made, at

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the national and international levels, to improve the well-being of the populationsand ecosystems in the affected areas, and to generate global benefits from theimplementation of the action programmes at all levels.

Further work of the CST is planned to refine the set of impact indicators andassociated methodologies through pilot impact indicators tracking exercises at thenational level and through an iterative process that will involve the scientificcommunity, Parties and other relevant stakeholders.

In charting its way forward, the CST will consider, for its future work, therecommendations made by the more than two hundred scientists and expertsfrom different disciplines that attended the 1st Scientific Conference. Parties tothe Convention will review and consider further the recommendations made byscientists during a special session of the CST scheduled for 2010.

One recommendation of the scientists at the Conference urges the developmentof a rigorous, science-based framework to monitor and assess DLDD thatintegrates biophysical and socio-economic methodologies. It proposes usingIntegrated Assessment Models (IAMs), as they provide for an inclusive,participatory, trans-disciplinary approach and help decision makers to understandcrucial issues, priorities and trade-offs.

The 1st Scientific Conference also considered issues related to the potential ofSLM to store carbon in soils and vegetation to combat global warming and theneed for a scientific networking mechanism and a knowledge managementsystem for sharing lessons learned from both successes and failures.

Another key recommendation made by scientists is the establishment, via aconsultative process, of an independent, international, interdisciplinary scientificmechanism to advise the UNCCD on a continuing basis. Such a mechanismshould be positioned to complement and synergize mechanisms serving other UNenvironmental conventions and initiatives.

The outcomes of the CST session at COP 9 marks a key milestone in theestablishment of a consistent mechanism to strengthen science–basedinformation for the implementation of the Convention and in the implementation ofthe 10-year strategic plan and framework for the implementation of theConvention (2008-2018) adopted by Parties at COP 8 in September 2007, inMadrid, Spain.

The co-authors are staff members of the secretariat of the United NationsConvention to Combat Desertification.

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About the UNCCD

Developed as a result of the Rio Summit, the UNCCD is a unique instrument thathas brought attention to land degradation in some of the most vulnerableecosystems and affected populations in the world. Thirteen years after cominginto force, the UNCCD benefits from the largest membership of the three RioConventions and is recognized as an instrument that can make an importantcontribution to the achievement of sustainable development and generate globalbenefits.

For more information contact:Knowledge Management, Science and Technology UnitUNCCDHermann-Ehlers-Str.10D-53113 Bonn, GermanyTel: +49-228-815-2834Fax: +49-228/-815-2898/99Email: [email protected]

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DELHI HIGH LEVEL CONFERENCE ON CLIMATECHANGE: TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ANDTRANSFER

October 22-23, 2009, New Delhi

Dr. Robert K. Dixon, Leader, Climate and Chemicals Team, represented theGlobal Environment Facility (GEF) at the Delhi High Level Conference on ClimateChange: Technology Development and Transfer, 22-23 October 2009, NewDelhi, India. The Conference was co-organized by the Indian Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. India's Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was the keynote speaker. PresidentMohamed Nasheed of the Maldives was a special speaker. Approximately 40Ministers of Energy/Environment/Science/Technology/Finance also participated.

The Conference is a step forward in the international dialogue on technologiesneeded to address climate change. The GEF and its partners are responsible forimplementing the UN FCCC COP14 Poznan Strategic Program on TechnologyTransfer and Dr. Dixon offered an update on support for Technology NeedsAssessments (TNAs), Technology Transfer Pilot Projects, and dissemination ofsuccessfully demonstrated technologies and knowledge.

For more information visit the conference websitehttp://www.newdelhicctechconference.com/



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TRAINING WORKSHOP ADDRESSES CAPACITYGAPS IN LDCS ON HOW TO ACCESS NAPAIMPLEMENTATION FUNDING THROUGH THE LEASTDEVELOPED COUNTRIES FUND.

The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) is a voluntary fund which wasestablished under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) at its seventh session in Marrakech in 2001. The Fund, which ismanaged by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), addresses the special needsof the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which are especially vulnerable to theadverse impacts of climate change. This includes preparing and implementingNational Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs), which aim to identify “urgentand immediate needs” of each LDC according to specific guidelines provided bythe Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG). In doing so, the LDCFapplies special expedited approval procedures, which differs from those of theGEF Trust Fund in a number of ways.

With the NAPA preparation phase close to completion, and the implementationphase already well underway, the LEG (in cooperation with the UNFCCC, theGEF secretariat and the GEF agencies) decided to develop a ‘step-by-step guide’for accessing funds for NAPA implementation through the LDCF. The hope is thatthis guide, which is now available through the UNFCCC website, will help LDCsfurther streamline and expedite the implementation of their NAPAs. In conjunctionwith the release of this guide, the LEG is also organizing four training workshopsto demonstrate in practice the principles outlined in the ‘step-by-step’ guide. Thefirst training workshop covered Anglophone African LDCs, and was conductedfrom 19-23 October, 2009 at the Blue Pearl Hotel in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.Each participating country sent around three key national stakeholders activelyinvolved in their national NAPA process. The following countries wererepresented at the workshop: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi,Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The GEF and itsagencies were asked to participate in the weeklong workshop deliveringpresentations on LDCF procedures, be available for discussions and Q&Asessions, and facilitating group work on NAPA case studies.

The workshop was divided into two parallel sessions: 1. Theoretical presentationsgiven by resource people followed by an open discussion and Q&A session. 2.Group work. The participants were divided into 6 ‘cross country’ groups and wereeach given a NAPA case study (i.e. the NAPA document from either Liberia,

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Delhi High Level Conference on ClimateChange: Technology Development andTransfer

Training workshop addresses capacitygaps in LDCs on how to access NAPAimplementation funding through the LeastDeveloped Countries Fund.

Implementation of the Poznan StrategicProgram on Technology Transfer: AnUpdate

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Lesotho, Sudan, or Sierra Leone). In afternoon sessions these groups wereasked to develop first an implementation strategy and subsequently to defineobjective, outcomes and outputs for an imaginary LDCF project submission. Theoutcome of each group session was subsequently presented and discussed bythe full group.

The workshop was a great learning experience for everyone involved. Countryrepresentatives had an opportunity to clarify both conceptual and practicalquestions associated with accessing funding through the LDCF. The GEF (andthe GEF agencies), on the other hand, had a unique opportunity to meet andinteract directly with its clients – and to gain a better understanding of the severeCC related problems faced by the LDCs. The workshop was also a uniqueopportunity to discuss, on a bilateral basis, some of the actual LDCF projectscurrently under development in each of the participating countries.

The LEG plans to conduct three similar workshops during 2010 for FrancophoneCountries, Lusophone Countries (Portuguese speaking), and the Pacific/Asiaregion (English).




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IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POZNAN STRATEGICPROGRAM ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: ANUPDATEBy Zhihong Zhang, Program Manager, Sr. Climate Change Specialist

Technology Needs Assessment (TNA)

Following the approval of the global TNA project proposal by the LDCF/SCCFCouncil in April 2009, UNEP developed the full project document which wassubmitted to the GEF Secretariat and endorsed by the GEF CEO in August2009. UNEP started implementation of the global TNA project in October 2009. The project will support up to 45 developing countries in preparing their TNAs andwill use methodologies of the revised TNA Handbook. Total GEF funding for thisproject is $9 million. The full project document is available at the GEF website:http://www.thegef.org/uploadedFiles/Focal_Areas/Climate_Change__(PDF_DOC)/SCCF1/Global_08-18-09_Technology_Needs_Assessmt.pdf.

Technology Transfer Pilot Projects

In response to the Call for Proposals for technology transfer pilot projects issuedin March 2009 by the GEF CEO, a total of 39 proposals were submitted to theGEF Secretariat as of September 2009. Based on several rounds of reviews, 14proposals were selected by the GEF CEO for inclusion in the November 2009Work Program (one of them was approved by the CEO as a medium-sizedproject). Total GEF resources requested for these 14 projects are $36.8 millionfrom the technology transfer window under the Poznan Strategic Program, withadditional $21.2 million requested from the GEF Trust Fund. Total GEF fundingamounts to $58 million, and total co-financing for these projects comes to morethan $195 million.

The technologies targeted by these projects are diverse and innovative. Theyinclude technologies on renewable energy (solar, biomass, wind, hydrogenstorage of renewable energy, and wave), energy efficiency (insulation materialsand efficient and HFC-free appliances), transport (“green” trucks), composting,carbon capture and storage from sugar fermentation, and membrane dripirrigation (for adaptation). The proposals come from 16 countries in Africa, Asiaand the Pacific, Latin America, and Europe and Central Asia. The projectproposals are available on the GEF website: http://thegef.org/interior_right.aspx?id=17146.

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http://www.thegef.org/uploadedFiles/Focal_Areas/Climate_Change__%0b(PDF_DOC)/SCCF1/Global_08-18-09_Technology_Needs_Assessmt.pdf

http://www.thegef.org/uploadedFiles/Focal_Areas/Climate_Change__%0b(PDF_DOC)/SCCF1/Global_08-18-09_Technology_Needs_Assessmt.pdf

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PROJETO SERTÃO: APPLYING THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL APPROACH TO ENSURESUSTAINABILITY IN THE SEMI-ARID BRAZILIANNORTHEASTJ. Quintana, Programme Manager, IFAD; F. Jalfim, Project Coordinator, PDHC; L. C.Mattos, Specialist in Environmental Services, PDHC; and I. Cossio, CountryProgramme Manager, IFAD

An alliance for sustainable rural development

IFAD, a specialized UN agency, is the only international financial institutionmandated to reduce poverty and food insecurity in rural areas of developingcountries. Its defining strengths are the promotion of community-based naturalresource management, especially water and land, and targeting of the world’spoorest people. IFAD became a GEF executing agency in 2005, withspecialization in land degradation, to assist in the provision of globalenvironmental benefits and the promotion of sustainable development in arid andsemiarid zones.

On its part, the Dom Helder Camara Project (PDHC) is a joint endeavour of IFADand the Government of Brazil, through its Ministry for Agrarian Development, tofight poverty in the semi-arid Brazilian Northeast region (Sertão). The projectsupports national efforts for agrarian reform in 6 states, promoting sustainableagriculture based in social inclusion and wide participation. PDHC and IFADprepared in 2005 a complementary proposal for GEF financing, Projeto Sertão,centred in the promotion of sustainable rural development. The project startedactivities in 2007.

Projeto Sertão: Fighting poverty, managing sustainable agro-ecosystems

The objective of the Sustainable Land Management in the Semiarid RegionProject, known as Projeto Sertão, is to strengthen and complement the PDHCwith an environmental approach, seeking to generate environmental benefitscompatible with the promotion of rural development and sustainable livelihoods.

This project strategy aims to demonstrate the reconciliation of productiveactivities with the preservation and proper use of natural resources in theCaatinga, notably soil, water and biodiversity (box 1). At the same time, ProjetoSertão is fed by the PDHC strategy, seeking to implement changes in the

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relationship between the State and civil society regarding territorial approaches.

As a result of this interaction, the objective of Projeto Sertão is based on thepromotion and implementation of agro-ecology, considered as a technologicalreference for sustainable agricultural production, as a valid tool for sustainableland management, and as a methodological reference for the promotion of new,and more inclusive, social relations (box 2).

Applying the agro-ecology principles in the semi-arid environment

The Projeto Sertão‘s agro-ecological approach towards smallholder farmers goesbeyond the design of more sustainable and drought resistant agro-ecosystems. Inaddition to the promotion of an agriculture based on low dependence of externalinputs, the project is developing new forms of processing, commercialization andconsumption of agricultural products which reduce the distance between farmersand consumers. This approach is at the same time helping to achieve severalglobal environmental benefits, from enhanced soil and water management, toreduction in biodiversity loss, better control of water source pollution, improvedsequestration of soil carbon and reduction in GHG emissions.

Agro-ecological systems increase productivity, enhance resilience to externalshocks and support diversification (crops, fodder, timber, etc), thus having aspecial added value in combating the rural exodus that affects the small farmersduring severe drought periods that cyclically affect the Brazilian Semiarid Region.

To meet its objectives, the project supports capacity building with extensive useof participatory field trials and peasants exchanges. Through this strategy, it hasbeen possible to broaden the farmers’ knowledge about the agro-ecosystems’functions and services, increasing in this way their motivation, and capacities, forsustainable management.

The Projeto Sertão agro-ecological approach has been implemented involvingfarming families through a strategic and integrated action among different actors(NGOs, universities and research centres, rural extension institutions, etc).Complementing this learning process, the project has strengthened the dynamicof social organization in the local, municipal, territorial, state and national levels.This increases, on the one hand, access to the available public policies for thepeasants, and, on the other hand, creates references to advocate for newpolicies that take into consideration ecological aspects.

Towards social and ecological sustainability

The climatic characteristics, geographical dimensions and complex social contextof the Brazilian Sertão difficult the generation of environmental gains in the short-term, and does not facilitate the sustainability of those achievements. To addressthese challenges, Projeto Sertão, with its focus on environmental goals, has beenimplemented jointly with the Dom Helder Camara Project, which intends to reducerural poverty, creating synergies that will make this joint venture more durableecologically and better accepted socially.

The success of the project will be also possible due to the combination ofparticipatory learning processes, to be carried out within the agro-ecologicalapproach, and the strengthening of a large network of social organizations thatincludes representatives from small farmers, NGOs, rural labor unions, socialmovements, and governmental organizations. Together, they have negotiated anagenda of common interests which results in collective actions and attainment.

Although the project is still in its second year of implementation, preliminaryassessments show that the approach is being successful, and widely supportedby beneficiaries and main stakeholders in the Sertão region. These encouragingsigns may lead to the preparation of a second phase, which will build upon theachievements and learnings from this pilot experience, scaling up to include otherareas and partners in the Sertão.

Contacts; Jesús Quintana, IFAD, [email protected] Jalfim, PDHC, [email protected]

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REHABILITATION OF DETERIORATED LANDS ANDITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: EXAMPLE OF ANSGP KYRGYZSTAN PROJECT AUTHOR

Land degradation is one of the focal areas that the GEF Small GrantsProgramme (SGP) is working on. To date the programme has supported 1368land degradation projects and invested more than $35 million dollars insupporting grantees across all regions in their efforts to combat land degradation.

The following is an example of a project in the Zinder region of Kyrgyzstan whereSGP supported the reinforcement of core community capacities in their fightagainst desertification and soil quality deterioration.

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The commune Urbaine de Zinder, is a region that accounts for approximately22% of the total population of Kyrgyzstan, where the increased deterioration ofnatural resources has decreased the production potential and income generationactivities of its inhabitants. However, through the “Support project for thereclamation and management of pasturage in Dadin Sarki, Angoual Maloumeyeand Angoual Dan-Boursa“ the community was able to successfully rehabilitatedeteriorated lands resulting in both environmental and socio-economic benefits.

The project pursued three specific objectives: (i) Reinforce the abilities of thecore communities in fighting against desertification and soil quality deterioration;(ii) Rehabilitate deteriorated land reserves and pasturage fields; and (iii) Put intoplace a dynamic monitoring system.

The project provided support for the following actions:

Training of committee members and villagers on techniques ofsoil rehabilitation and stabilization, pruning and tree careEstablishment of three managerial committees. The committeeis composed of six members chosen by the participatingcommunity, three of which are women in support of SGP’sstrong gender equity policy.Training of nursery staffProduction of planting materials Pruning and maintenance of at least 100 hectares of naturalvegetationRehabilitation of 100 hectares of deteriorated landsPlanting of cover vegetation especially Acacia senegalPlanting at least 32,000 treesImplementation of a monitoring system

The project was able to contribute to global environmental benefitssuch us the improvement of biological diversity, carbonsequestration, and the fight against desertification. At the local level,the environmental benefits of the project were the rehabilitation ofdeteriorated lands, increased availability of wood for heating andforage for herds, improvement in wildlife habitats, and increasedsoil fertility.

In addition, the project improved the livelihoods and quality of life ofthe community by increasing revenues for the population throughthe sales of wood and animal feed, and by creating a leisure spotfor the community. Finally, the project also reduced the ruralexodus of able-bodied workers.

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This GEF Small Grant Project is an extraordinary example of thetransformational power that comes from supporting communities intheir quest for sustainable development.





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FPO

VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL KNOWLEDGEMANAGEMENT: IMPLICATIONS AT THE LOCAL,NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL LEVELSM. Seely, N. Gaseb, P Klintenberg, B Kruger

Desert Research Foundation of Namibia

(Summary of a presentation made at the first Scientific Conference of theCommittee on Science and Technology (CST) of the UN Convention to CombatDesertification (UNCCD) at the Conference of Parties (COP9))

Based on the Dryland Science for Development Consortium’s (DSD) WorkingGroup 3 Paper prepared for the first Scientific Conference of the CST at COP9,knowledge management is defined as including: identifying existing knowledge(including data and information); new knowledge generation or production;documentation and storage; as well as sharing communicating and disseminatingknowledge. One of the challenges facing the combating of desertification includesthe situation that the scientific community has been conducting research fordecades while little has improved amongst rural communities faced withdecreasing productivity of degraded lands.

This is partially attributable to the results of science not being accessible to orbeing used by those who are directly addressing desertification, essentially afailure of knowledge management. Explanations for this failure include differingincentives and benefits for the scientific and the land manager and usercommunities and a tendency for scientists to consider IT, websites and otherelectronic media as sufficient for knowledge management. This is particularlypertinent for Africa where development has not benefited extensively fromknowledge management.

Based on examples from Namibia and the SADC region, experience has shownthat addressing desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) depends onaction from grass roots to national and international level. Rural communities,government institutions, researchers, development agents and policy makersneed to communicate while there is usually no mutual platform, as suggestedbelow, to facilitate communication.

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img

A variety of knowledge management platforms have been tested under differingcircumstances in Namibia. These include Basin Management Committees, anapproach to enhance understanding, management and decision making withrespect to land, water and other natural resources within a water basin. Forumsfor Integrated Resource Management (FIRMs) represent an approach designedto ensure that rural farmers living on communally-managed farmlands are incharge of their own development. This involves collaborative visioning, planning,implementation and monitoring in which the relevant Community BasedOrganisation takes the lead in organising, planning and monitoring of their ownactivities and coordinates interventions of service providers and other partners inorder to achieve the community’s goals.

These approaches can be supported by community driven Local Level Monitoring(LLM) in which indicators are identified and developed by FIRM members;measured by farmers; interpreted and disseminated by farmers; and used toinform decision making by the individual farmer, members of the FIRM and evenextension. The results of LLM can be communicated more widely, for example,for national drought or flood warning and preparation and for climate proofing.LLM may contribute to a combination of local and scientific knowledge. On anentirely different level, a combination of scientific and local knowledge may beinterpreted, for example as Environmental Updates in Namibia, for disseminationto parliamentarians and other high level decision makers.

Knowledge management on behalf of DLDD can be well supported by ‘boundaryorganisations’ that serve as the gathering, interpretation and synthesis platformfor exchange of local to international scientific knowledge, the translator ofresearch findings referred to in Fig 1 above. They may serve as learningorganizations for increased capacity situated at the interface amongst, inter alia,policy makers, service providers, land users, researchers and developmentagents. Effective boundary organisations consequently contribute to: moreeffectively addressing and responding to DLDD, climate variability and climatechange while ensuring greater transparency and supporting good governance.The following model (the dots on the map representing Agricultural DevelopmentCentres) has been tested and is partially functioning in Namibia.

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In conclusion, and in agreement with the Working Group 3 paper, it isrecommended to encourage and support self-sustaining communication platformsand boundary organizations to enhance knowledge management on all levelsand to strengthen human and institutional capacities to address DLDD.





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Mohamed Bakarr

LIFE IN THE GEF…..WHERE LAND MATTERSBy Mohamed I Bakarr, Senior Environmental Specialist, GEF

It has been eight months already since I joined theGEF Secretariat. I initially felt like a young treeseedling that finds itself under a thick forest canopyand must push its tender roots into the ground tohold firm so it can grow branches to catch the raysof sunlight filtering through. Unlike that seedling,however, my tall trees in the canopy are anamazing group of talented individuals who havehelped me to navigate the complex labyrinth of avery large GEF family that includes implementingagencies and Secretariat of the UN Convention toCombat Desertification. As a result, I have settledin very quickly and must now keep up with theenergy and pace of work, especially with the

transition from one replenishment phase to another already well underway. Mypassion for natural resource management has indeed made it more exciting forme to be part of a place where investment in land matters.

How GEF financing to combat land degradation evolved through time has made ahuge difference in creating awareness about the issue as a global challenge. Itwas extremely valuable for me to join the Secretariat at a time when themagnitude of that challenge is now more apparent than ever because of climatechange. And with growing concern about feeding a bourgeoning world population,demand for innovations to sustainably cultivate and manage land for food willincrease. Combating land degradation is about sustainable land management,which makes it a top priority for mainstream development financing. At the sametime, the value-added of GEF investment for generating global environmentalbenefits in production systems is gaining momentum.

Sustainable land management has multiple dimensions ranging from biophysical,social, economic, political and institutional. The GEF family matches thiscomplexity with a wealth of experience and diversity of expertise at many differentlevels. In addition, the GEF also obtains guidance from world class scientists onits Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel. These opportunities have helped tomake a compelling case for increased allocation of resources in the landdegradation focal area during the fifth GEF replenishment. The focal area strategyemphasizes the need for integrated management of natural resources in agro-ecosystems, which positions the GEF to effectively help developing countriestackle land degradation through innovative science-based options that alsogenerate global environmental benefits.

As a developing country national, I am well aware that agriculture, rangeland andforest production all play an important role in underpinning economic growth,poverty reduction, and sustainable development. I am also aware that thesesectors often enjoy significant financial support from multi-lateral and bilateralsources. Unfortunately, adequate financing is seldom directed toward the need tosafeguard nature’s services – water, biodiversity, carbon stocks, nutrient cycling -


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in production landscapes. These services, however, underpin the livelihoods ofmillions of people who depend directly on land. Being a part of the GEF meansan opportunity to help countries leverage financing for ensuring the sustainabilityof these services. The GEF financing also helps countries to fulfill theirobligations under the UN Conventions on biodiversity, climate change anddesertification.

The opportunity to review and improve projects for GEF financing is veryrewarding. And there are times when I have even found my specialization in theapplication of tropical mycorrhizas in production landscapes becoming handy. Iam therefore looking forward to an exciting time during the fifth GEFreplenishment phase.

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NEW FOCAL POINTS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS

Country Name Category NominationDate

Afghanistan Mr. SamiullahIbrahimi

Political Focal Point 28-Jul-09

Albania Mr. Fatmir Mediu Political Focal Point 29-Oct-09

Bhutan Mrs. Kunzang C.Namgyel

Political Focal Point 5-Jun-09

Bulgaria Ms. IvelinaVasileva

Political Focal Point 9-Nov-09

Burkina Faso Mr. MamadouHonadia

Operational Focal Point 10-Jun-09

China Ms. Fangyu Liu Operational Focal Point 19-Aug-09

China Mr. Shaolin Yang Council Member/DonorParticipants (Replinishment)

30-Oct-09

China Ms. JunhongChang

Alternate Member 30-Oct-09

Comoros Mrs. KoulthoumDjamadar

Alternate Member/OperationalFocal Point

8-Sep-09

Comoros His ExcellencyNadhoim Idi

Political Focal Point 11-Sep-09

Congo His ExcellencyHenri Djombo

Political Focal Point 6-Nov-09

Costa Rica Mr. JorgeRodriguez Quiros

Political Focal Point 28-Oct-09

Costa Rica Ms. MariaVanessa ZamoraGonzalez

Operational Focal Point 28-Oct-09

CzechRepublic

Mr. Jiri Hlavacek Political FocalPoint/Operational Focal Point

17-Sep-09

DominicanRepublic

Ms. IsabelGuzman

Operational Focal Point 15-Oct-09

Egypt Mr. Khalil Mootaz Political Focal Point 27-Sep-09

El Salvador Mr. Herman RosaChavez


Equatorial Mr. Anastasio Political Focal Point 25-Jun-09

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Guinea Asumu Mum

Gambia Mr. MomodouSarr

Council Member/OperationalFocal Point

25-Oct-09

Guinea-Bissau

Mr. Barros BacarBanjai


Guyana Dr. IndarjitRamdass

Operational Focal Point 1-Jul-09

Haiti Mr. Daniel Brisard Operational Focal Point 27-Aug-09

Japan Mr. Hiroaki Ichiba Donor Participants(Replinishment)

6-May-09

Japan Mr. MasaruOshima

Alternate Member/DonorParticipants (Replinishment)

7-Aug-09

Kazakhstan Mr. NurgaliAshimov

Political Focal Point 23-Jul-09

Kazakhstan Mrs. EldanaSadvokassova

Operational Focal Point 23-Jul-09

Moldova Mr. GheorgheSalaru

Political FocalPoint/Operational Focal Point

28-Oct-09

Morocco Mr. Rachid Firadi Alternate Member 22-Oct-09

Netherlands Mr. Simon Smits Council Member/DonorParticipants (Replinishment)

3-Jul-09

Nicaragua Ms. JuanitaArgenal Sandoval


Pakistan Mr. Kamran AliQureshi

Political FocalPoint/Operational Focal Point

18-Jul-09

Panama Mr. Raul Pinedo Alternate Member 17-Sep-09

Panama Mr. Javier Arias Political Focal Point 17-Sep-09

Panama Mr. EpimenidesDiaz

Operational Focal Point 17-Sep-09

Papua NewGuinea

H.E. Robert G.Aisi

Council Member/Political FocalPoint

4-May-09

Peru Ms. RosarioGomez Gamarra

Political Focal Point 26-Oct-09

Philippines Ms. AnalizaRebuelta Teh

Alternate Member/OperationalFocal Point

4-May-09

Samoa Mr.TaulealeausumaiMalua

Operational Focal Point 10-Sep-09

Suriname Mrs. Muriel Held Political Focal Point 4-Sep-09

Sweden Ms. CarolineDahlbom




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Ms. Seungmin Ryu

RYU, SEUNGMINIntern / Climate Change [email protected]

In 2009, Korean government introduced“International Environment Expert Training Program(IEETP)” fully funded by the Ministry ofEnvironment, which consists of three-month trainingfocused on technical, scientific and political aspectsof climate change at the Yonsei University in Seoul.The academic portion of the program is followed bya six-month overseas internship at an internationalorganization, i.e. UNDP, UNEP, UNFCCC, GEF,OECD, ASEAN, etc.

Having completed the initial part of the training inKorea, Ms. Seungmin Ryu joined the GEFSecretariat for her internship, where she will workmainly on renewable energy issues from 8th

October 2009 to 7th January 2010.

Prior to joining the GEF, she worked for Veolia Environmental Services (VES)where she was responsible to develop and implement strategies in waste torenewable energy business in Korea. Before VES, she served for EnvironmentalResources Management where she participated in the Corporate AdvisoryServices for consulting environmental business in Korea.

Seungmin holds a M.Eng. in Environmental Engineering from the ChungnamNational University, Korea and also taken courses on Financial Analysis andIntermediate Grade Accounting."


GEF The Greenline

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Mikko Ollikainen

MIKKO ANTTI OLLIKAINENAdaptation Officer, GEF [email protected]

Mikko Ollikainen, a Finnish national, has joined theAdaptation Fund Board Secretariat as anAdaptation Officer on October 19, 2009.

Prior to joining the GEF, Mikko worked in the WorldBank Carbon Finance Unit as a Carbon FinanceSpecialist. In the CFU he functioned as a dealmanager for afforestation/ reforestation CleanDevelopment Mechanism projects in Africa in theBioCarbon Fund portfolio, including the first AfricanUNFCCC-approved A/R CDM project in Uganda,registered by the CDM Executive Board in August2009. In addition to assigned projects, he worked inthe development of the BioCF portfolio, includingnew areas such as agricultural soil carbon. Before

his assignment in the CFU, Mikko worked for two years in the World Bankreconstruction program of the Indonesian province of Aceh, following the 2004tsunami, supervising and implementing projects in the fields of environment andnatural resources management. Mikko worked for two years in Beijing, China, asa country representative of an environment consulting firm and as the coordinatorof an EU-funded policy research project prior to joining the World Bank.

Mikko holds a M.Sc. degree in ecology and biodiversity research from theUniversity of Turku, Finland, and a diploma in international trade from theUniversity of Tampere, Finland.


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UPCOMING EVENTS

Date Event Venue

Nov.9-15

CBD - Eighth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access andBenefit-sharing (WG ABS 8)

Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia - TBC

Nov.16

GEF BBL Australia’s Contribution to theGroup on Earth Observation’s “ForestCarbon Tracking” Initiative

WashingtonDC

Nov.19

GEF BBL - infoDev's CLIMATETECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

WashingtonDC

Dec.7-18

UNFCCC COP-15 Copenhagen,Denmark



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UPCOMING EVENTS

NEW PUBLICATIONS





NOVEMBER 2009

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http://www.cbd.int/

http://www.cbd.int/






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Documents

GEF The Greenline - World Bank...MONIQUE BARBUT LETTER FROM THE CEO Dear Colleagues, One of the key lessons we have learned during the replenishment process is that our ultimate success