Acronyms

BNSAP Biodiversity National Strategy and Action Plan ETC Environmental Technical Committee DSRC Djibouti Study and Research Center DTDE Directorate of Territory Development and Environment GD Government of Djibouti GEF Global Environmental Facility IGAD Intergovernmental Authority on Development MABS Ministry of Agriculture, Breeding and the Sea in charge of Hydraulic Resources MHTETD Ministry of Housing, Town Planning, Environment and Territory Development NAP National Action Program to Combat Desertification

NC National Coordinator NCSA National Capacity Self-Assessment NEAP National Environmental Action Plan NEPIRC National Education Production and Information Research Center NPM National Project Manager POPs Persistent Organic Polluants PERSGA Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden PMU Project Management Unit PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper PSC Project Steering Committee RAP Regional Action Program UNCBD United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity UNDP United Nations Development Program UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change WSSD World Summit on Sustainable Development

2 Table of Contents

I. National Context 4

I.1 General context 4 I.2. National Policies and Global Environmental Management 6 I.3 The Institutional Context 10 1-4 Justifications 12

III. Project Activities 15

IV. Monitoring 21

V. Timetable 22

VI. Budget 23

VII. Appendix 24

3 4 I. National Context I.1 General context . 1. The Republic of Djibouti is a small country located in the Horn of Africa, between the 12th and 13th Northern parallel, at the Southern mouth of the Red Sea. With an area of about 23,200 square Km, the country shares its borders with Eritrea in the North, Ethiopia in the West, and Somalia in the South. Djibouti has a 372 Km coastline along the Babel Mandeb Strait and the Gulfs of Tadjourah and Aden. Its maritime area is estimated at around 7,200 square Km. Located on one of the most frequented sea roads in the world, Djibouti enjoys an uncontestable strategic geographic position. Situated on the African rift, the relief of Djibouti is characterized by altitude ranging from 150 meters below sea level (Lake Assal) to more than 2,020 meters altitude (Mount Moussa Ali).

2- Djibouti’s climate is an arid tropical one. The weather is almost hot and dry throughout the country. The annual average temperature is about 29.9°. However, there are three distinct zones: (i) mountainous areas where the temperature varies between 10°C and 30°C, (ii) coastal plains where the temperature varies between 35 and 25°C and finally (iii) plains and inland plateaus with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 45°C.

3- The country’s demographic data remains poorly documented. The last population census was carried out 20 years ago. The population is currently estimated at about 650,000 inhabitants. The unemployment rate of about 59.5% is significant. Unemployed people are mostly young people aged under 30 years of age. They represent 60.5% of non- working people. Life expectancy is about 43.1 years and the child mortality rate is around 102 per 1,000. As for gender distribution, it is acknowledged that there are 97 men for 100 women although women represent 51% of the population.

4- The available data show that Djibouti has a primarily urban population. In fact, 78% of the Djibouti population lives in urban areas, whereas around 66% of the country’s total population lives in the capital city. Since independence in 1977, the population is increasing at an annual rate of 3%. According to the Human Development Indicator (HDI), Djibouti, with a 0.476 HDI, is ranked 149th out of 173 countries.

5- During the last decade, the country created new institutions to launch a pluralistic democracy. A coalition of four parties is currently governing the country. According to the 15 September 1992 Constitution, the executive authority is counterbalanced by legislative and judiciary authorities in Djibouti, a presidential regime. The executive includes the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister (the coordinator of the government’s activity) and other ministers, whose number varies between 15 and 20. The legislative authority gathers 65 Members of Parliament, of whom 10% are women, representing the people and having a seat in the National Assembly. The country’s judicial authority is exercised by a twelve-member Constitutional Council and it enjoys full independence.

6- The Republic of Djibouti has five “Districts,” divided into areas. The sixth unit, enjoying special status, is the capital city, which is divided into sub-districts. Decentralization is a

5 reality in the Republic of Djibouti. It falls within the government’s framework to establish and promote local governance, which stands as the basis for local socio-economic development. Apart from the capital city, each district is run by a Regional Council, presided over by the Commissioner of the Republic. The Council includes technical ministries and private sector representatives, representatives of women and young people, as well as civil society. It is worth mentioning that the regional council of Arta, the fifth district, is not currently operational. Regional Councils are in charge of running and conducting the districts’ affairs. Created in 1999 by presidential decree # 99-0088 / PRE, each Regional Council is composed of 14 members, including representatives from the technical ministries, private sector, civil society and, in particular, youth and women. The Council is presided over by the Commissioner of the Republic who represents the Government. The Commissioners are provided with financial means in order to carry out development activities.

7- Djibouti’s economy is based mainly on services. The service sector represents 82% of GDP and covers the major share of salaried employees. The primary sector represents only 3% of GDP, while the secondary sector only contributes up to 15% of the annual wealth. In the primary sector, production is based mainly on livestock breeding, which represents two thirds of that production total and accounts for 2% of GDP. The various economic sectors’ shares of GDP have remained almost unchanged during recent decades. The 2001 macroeconomic indicators are relatively good. Economic growth increased from 0.7% in 2000 to over 1.9% in 2001. In the meantime, the inflation rate decreased from 2.4% in 2000 to 1.04% in 2001.

8- As for mineral resources, only salt is industrially exploited. Every year, 140,000 tons of salt are extracted from Lake Assal, where the saturated salt brine (up to 340g/l) covers over 50 square km with a maximum depth of 25 m.

9- A synopsis of the country’s socio-economic and political context, shown in the following table, reveals that poverty is the major problem.

Human Development Indicator (HDI) 0.476 HDI position among 173 countries 149 Life expectancy at birth 43.1 Literacy rate in adults (%) 64.6 Net enrollment ratio in primary education (%) 32 Child mortality rate ( ° / °° ) 102 Human Poverty Indicator ( HPI 1) 34.3 Population living on under $ 2 /day, national estimate (%) 45.1

10- The country has poor vegetation due to rain scarcity and salty, clayey or stony soils. Therefore, vegetable resources are limited. Vegetation is mostly formed of some steppes and grasses dominated by acacias. Due to the conjunction of a series of climatic factors, Djibouti faces serious desertification. 11- Water is a valuable yet scarce resource. The extreme aspect of the geo-climatic profile leads to low rainfall (the average annual rainfall is around 136 mm) and is characterized

6 by the absence of sustainable surface resources and the slow renewal of the water table. There is a crucial lack of studies; the only complete hydrological map available dates back to 1982 and needs to be updated.

12- The poor distribution of water sources in rural areas has led to the artificial regrouping of traditionally nomadic populations and their livestock. This has resulted in pressures on the environment, namely overgrazing, deforestation, and extension of bad agricultural practices. These bring about a more or less significant situation of desertification. 13- Paradoxically, the pastoral nomadic population is historically less oriented to the sea; therefore, maritime side and fishing resources remained relatively preserved for a long time. This is why the pressures on the coast and seabeds are more or less recent and localized, mainly resulting from an acceleration of demographic growth and urbanization. 14- Djibouti’s maritime area covers 7,190 square km. This area is located at the junction of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and counts unique and varied fauna and flora. Djibouti’s marine eco-system exhibits very high biological diversity and a high degree of endemism. The coral reefs are said to be morphologically active and relatively lowly developed. More than 80 Madrepora hermatypic species have been inventoried. 15- Djibouti’s biotic environment is generally well adapted to its arid climate (90% of the territory is a desert or is subject to desertification). Actual forest areas, however, exist in well-irrigated places. Moreover, there are trees and bushes throughout the country under the form of well-wooded savannah or steppes. Despite its small surface area, Djibouti counts endemic species both in its flora and avifauna and constitutes a major ornithological crossroads for North/South transcontinental migrations (migratory flows from 50,000 to 1,000,000 birds per year). 16- These characteristics make Djibouti one of the nations enjoying an important ecological heritage. However, on the national level, this wealth is threatened: climatic and physical constraints, along with human pressures, hamper the sustainability of productive areas, also threatening those who depend on them.

I.2. National Policies and Global Environmental Management

17. Aware of the long-term advantages of sustainable natural resource management, the Government has made environmental and biodiversity preservation a national priority. To fulfill its commitments, the Government has promulgated laws and developed tools to face environmental threats.

18. The Government of Djibouti has approved a series of laws to fight sea pollution, secure sea and road navigation, manage fishing and waste, and protect fauna and flora… Moreover, a series of decrees has enabled the creation of protected areas in Musha islands and Mascali, located at the entrance of the Gulf of Tadjourah.

19. The Government of Djibouti has also developed legal and technical tools aimed at defining a legal framework applicable to the entire national territory. The Environment Framework Law (Law # 106/AN/00/4th L of 29 October 2000) sets down the fundamental rules to manage and protect the environment in order to safeguard and encourage streamlined exploitation of natural resources, combat all types of pollution and nuisances,

7 and improve the living conditions of people while respecting the equilibrium of the ecosystems.

20. In the application of this law, Decree 2001-0011/PR/MHTETD of 15 October 2001 has set out the environmental impact procedure. According to the decree, any public or private activity likely to have a negative impact on the environment should be subject to a prior impact study comprising a feasibility study in urban, aquatic, rural, and port environments, as well as in transportation and hazardous products warehousing or any activity involving resource exploitation.

21. In 1991, within the framework of the UNCTAD preparation process, the Government of Djibouti produced a national report on the state of the environment.

22. Since 1997, the Government of Djibouti has also been engaged in the elaboration of the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) and the improvement of national capacities in environmental management. The NEAP was finalized in 2000 and adopted the same year. This plan, prepared by national experts, details the state of the environment and defines the strategy to be implemented to rehabilitate degraded environment and encourage rural development. The strategy includes priority actions related to environmental education; capacity building; combating desertification; environmental impact assessment; waste management, the fight against pollution, and biodiversity conservation, as well as other environmental initiatives such as the use of environmental- oriented technologies and private sector initiative development.

23. In 2000, within the UNCBD framework, Djibouti elaborated its national report for biological biodiversity. This report drew up the first inventory of the country’s natural resources, using an approach based on an economic assessment of biodiversity. This report also provides some indicators on the status of biodiversity in Djibouti and threatened species, such as the juniper, the Bankouale palm (livistona carinensis), the francolin, the beira or the dugong. The action plan presented in this report includes 18 priority issues identified on the basis of the major problems facing the country in terms of biodiversity protection. For each of these issues, project sheets have been prepared in order to be presented to potential donors.

24. The Government of Djibouti ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) on 3 September 1996. During the first five years, the Government of Djibouti was involved in a biodiversity enabling project, which allowed the preparation of a Biodiversity National Strategy and Action Plan (BNSAP). The government has approved and adopted the strategy. The BNSAP project has established an institutional and legal framework to protect biological diversity in Djibouti. A biodiversity national office has been created to coordinate the BNSAP’s implementation. A website has been created and a biodiversity unit established within the DTDE - MHTETD.

25. Djibouti signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in July 1995, and presented, during the Seventh Conference of Parties, its initial national communication within the UNFCCC in 2001. This has been achieved thanks to GEF financial assistance. The document was submitted to the Secretariat in June

8 2002 during the SBSTTA 9 (a Convention Subsidiary Body). This report describes the greenhouse effect gas situation in Djibouti. Vulnerability studies conducted on water resources, the costal zone of the city of Djibouti, and sea and land ecosystems revealed that the impact of climate changes, which is already perceptible, will worsen the environmental situation, which is already threatened by the country’s pedoclimatic conditions.

26. The national communication includes the policies and measures already taken by the government or those to be implemented in order to promote sustainable population development. It also aims at maintaining, on the global level, a low level of greenhouse effect gas emissions in order to avoid global climate problems.

27. Djibouti ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1997. In an attempt to meet its commitments within the framework of this convention, the Government of Djibouti was among the first ten African countries to submit in 1999 its first national report on the convention’s implementation. The second report was submitted in May 2002.

28. Following this report, the preparation of the National Action Program (NAP) to combat desertification (essential in the implementation of the convention) has launched a participatory based approach that allows us to observe how important desertification is and sensitize the population as to the risks linked to such a phenomenon. The NAP includes identified priority actions aimed at fighting desertification, as well as mitigating soil degradation and drought effects (the second major national environmental problem after water scarcity).

29. The NAP is important insofar as it can identify, in each of the country’s (five) districts, the problems encountered and propose concrete actions adapted to its eco-geographical context. In general, operational actions focus on the following issues: the fight against erosion, reforestation, water management, resource generating activities and sylvopastoral development.

30. Djibouti also signed the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in 2001 and launched an “enabling activities” project to facilitate implementation of the Stockholm Convention, a Convention financed by the GEF. The current POPs project aims at capacity building so that Djibouti can completely meet the convention’s obligations.

31. Djibouti has also signed several other international environmental conventions, such as the Basel Convention of Transboundary Movement Control on Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Protection, the Rotterdam Convention on Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), etc.

32. On the regional level, Djibouti signed the 1991 Bamako Convention on the Ban of Import into Africa, Transboundary Movement Control, and Management of Hazardous Wastes in Africa, as well as the Lome Convention on Waste Transportation Banishment.

9 33. Djibouti is a member of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which comprises Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and Sudan in addition to Djibouti. The IGAD Secretariat is located in Djibouti. IGAD’s main objective is the settlement of conflicts in the sub-region, through identifying solutions that can lead to sustainable resource management. It is worth mentioning that the IGAD has a regional role in the UNCCD implementation

34. Within this framework and in collaboration with the US Government (USAID) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), IGAD has backed a program aimed at encouraging community-based natural resources management in the IGAD region. A particular focus was put on the transboundary projects encouragement and human capacity building. The evaluation conducted by this program and the priorities identified in all of the IGAD member countries by national consultants meet the objectives of the NCSA. The NCSA may also be linked to other current projects to help IGAD obtain financial assistance.

35. Djibouti is also member of the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden – PERSGA. Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Somalia and Yemen are also member countries. PERSGA has developed a Strategic Action Program for member countries to meet the needs of each of them. A major part of this program is focused on capacity building in terms of coastal and marine resources management. Djibouti has asked the GEF through PERSGA to develop and implement a management plan for two protected sea areas in the North of the country. In these sea areas, special emphasis will be put on coral reefs and mangrove habitat conservation as well as on sea turtle protection The Strategic Action Program ended in December 2003 and might be followed by a Regional Action Program (RAP), which currently requires financing.

36. Djibouti also participates in several regional initiatives financed by the GEF. A project on sustainable management for transboundary environmental resources in Southwestern Djibouti and Northeastern Ethiopia is currently under preparation. This project will first focus on Abbé Lake as well as the associated plains and wetlands.

37. The 21 Agenda evaluation report on Djibouti prepared in May 2002 within the framework of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) recommends integrating environmental policy in development and program policies, public training and information on the link between economic development and environment, the elaboration of a national strategy on sustainable development, and the mobilization of financial means to implement an action plan that falls within the framework of international conventions on the environment. This report stands as a joint strategic assessment basis to implement the Rio conventions and will be a working basis for the NCSA process.

38. The Government of Djibouti has just elaborated, after participatory consultations of various stakeholders, namely the public administration, the private sector, civil society and development partners, its poverty reduction strategy within the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The main strategic themes of this new policy are defined as follows:

10 . Strengthening the country’s competitiveness and creating conditions conducive to strong and sustainable economic growth. . Human resource development acceleration through better access to health, water and education and the improvement of equity and efficiency. The strategy specifically targets women. . Unemployment reduction and the promotion of poor zones through implementing targeted programs in poor zones and among vulnerable categories. . The promotion of good governance

39. In collaboration with the UNDP, a Poverty Reduction Supporting Program (PRSP) has been elaborated to support Government efforts toward the implementation of this strategy. This supporting program constitutes the UNDP intervention framework in Djibouti. It includes the following issues: . Capacity building in terms of poverty and inequality formulation and monitoring . Capacity building for Government and associations to implementation HIV/AIDS programs. . Improvement of both the environmental process and energy resource management capacities . Local development process support.

40. To ensure a synergy between the various conventions and current actions, the NCSA process will provide an opportunity to integrate and identify the PRSP’s cross-sectoral components, such as the environmental process and energy resource management capacities improvement and support for the local development process.

I.3 The Institutional Context

The Government of Djibouti’s will to develop a true environmental management policy has been reflected in several institutional reforms, which led, in 1996, to the creation of the Directorate of Territory Development and Environment (DTDE). This institution is currently affiliated to the Ministry of Housing, Town Planning, Environment and Territory Development (MHTETD).

41. The DTDE is the focal point for strategic issues related to environmental management. The directorate is the chief instigator of ecosystems restoration and also monitors respect for environmental legislation.

42. Under the supervision of the MHTETD, the Directorate of Sanitation is in charge of managing all wastewater and rainwater sewage networks as well as the urban road network.

43. The institutional framework for environmental management was set up during preparation for the Rio Summit, through the formation of the National Environmental Committee (NEC). This body was dedicated to preparing for the summit, assisted by an Environmental Technical Committee (ETC).

11 44. The NEC coordinates and harmonizes the institutions responsible for urban management, issues guidelines on environmental policy, defines and monitors its implementation. Presided over by the Prime Minister, the NEC includes all of the government’s Ministers. The ETC is composed of representatives from the public administrations, the private sector and associations. Its role is to propose actions to be undertaken.

45. National Executive Committees have also been set up to define the national strategy on biodiversity protection, combat desertification and climate changes and protect the ozone layer. They include technical services, NGOs, associations and various development partners. They are backed by a technical secretariat.

46. Apart from the MHTETD, the following ministries play a more or less significant role in environmental management: (i) the Ministry of Agriculture, Breeding and the Sea in Charge of Hydraulic Resources, (ii) the Ministry of National Education, (iii) the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Leisure, (iv) the Ministry of Equipment and Transportation, (v) the Ministry of Interior and Decentralization, (vi) the Ministry of Health, (vii) the Government’s General Secretariat.

47. The Ministry of Agriculture, Breeding and the Sea in Charge of Hydraulic Resources (MABS) has an extremely important role to play in environmental issues. It also takes part in its management. The MABS’ tasks include rangelands improvement, indigenous fauna protection, the awarding of licenses for coastal and marine resources exploitation, statistics creation, fishing industry legalization and development. Moreover, thanks to its Forest and Agricultural Service (FAS), it is in charge of indigenous flora protection, vegetable production development, agricultural and forestry production, the fight against desertification as well as hydro-agricultural facilities.

48. Moreover, the MABS supervises the National Water Resource Committee, which conducts hydro-geological studies and research to evaluate water resources and needs. The MABS also ensures, through the Djibouti National Water Office, water management and distribution in the capital city and districts’ chief towns. Finally, it conducts action and study programs.

49. The Ministry of National Education, through the National Education Production and Information Research Center (NEPIRC), also participates in the process. Through media (radio, television), the latter participates in public awareness for the population and for institutions about the link between development, population welfare and environmental conservation. Within this framework and besides its main mission, the National Education Production and Information Research Center (NEPIRC) trains and sensitizes the educational staff to environmental issues. The NEPIRC produces various documents related to Djibouti’s environment, including a teacher’s guidebook on environmental education. It produces and broadcasts, through the national radio, programs on the environment.

50. Through the Djibouti National Office for Tourism, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Leisure, participates in the promotion of ecotourism. The sustainable development tourism strategy is based on protecting and promoting the natural environment (land flora

12 and fauna, marine ecosystems). This strategy aims at creating and marketing environmental high value land and maritime products, with a view to position Djibouti on global markets, thus becoming one of the privileged destinations for eco-tourism.

51. The Ministry of Equipment and Transportation intervenes essentially through the Port Directorate, which falls under its supervision. Being the main intervening party, the Port of Djibouti deals with all pollution issues in the port.

52. The Interior and Decentralization Ministry, through its disaster management and prevention unit, deals with environmental issues. Besides coordination in its own field of action, this body helps promote and establish a working and information network through which national NGOs and institutions as well as international agencies can coordinate their programs to better prepare and respond to natural disasters (decentralization, disaster management).

53. The Ministry of Health intervenes in the bacteriological analysis of water consumption through its health service.

1-4 Justifications

54. The objective of the National Capacity Self-assessment Process (NCSA) is to offer stakeholders in Djibouti the opportunity to proceed with an in-depth and participatory self-assessment and analysis of needs in terms of national capacity building and of the priorities and constraints to achieve global environmental objectives declared in the Rio and other international conventions.

55. Within the scope of preparation of this NCSA process, the Government’s key partners and NGOs involved in the monitoring and implementation of the conventions of the Rio conventions defined appropriate methodologies, which will be adopted in Djibouti in order to follow the GEF guidelines in the implementation of the NCSA. Within this context, several meetings, consultations and discussions were conducted with the various partners (Ministry of Housing, Town Planning, Environment and Territory Development; Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Interior, Djibouti Study and Research Center; focal points of various conventions, financial backers and Regional Organizations) to identify consultation mechanisms and management arrangements, as well as the results and indicators to be targeted for the implementation of the self-assessment process in Djibouti. The outcomes deriving from this consultation framework were integrated in this document.

56. The NCSA will facilitate a cross-sectoral consultation process based on the results of the capacity building assessment, by classifying and prioritizing capacity needs, and especially by identifying the bottlenecks preventing Djibouti from fulfilling its commitments taken by virtue of the relevant conventions. The specific results to be achieved through the NCSA process will include the identification of priority needs between and across GEF thematic fields, biodiversity, climate change and soil degradation, by integrating the targeted and coordinated actions, as well as the future financing requests for environmental protection in a broader perspective of sustainable

13 development. The sustainable institutional system, which will be created within the scope of this first NCSA, will ensure a continuous assessment of needs in terms of capacity building in a comprehensive and systematic way.

57. The main products/results of the NCSA process are the following:

. An inventory of the knowledge gained from past and current capacity building activities, a general overview/inventory of capacity building needs, and the identification of major constraints. . A stakeholder analysis determining the roles and responsibilities in the NCSA process. . An analysis of the cross-sectoral issues and synergies, an identification of the capacity building options and an in-depth analysis of priority options. . An assessment national report clarifying the critical capacity building constraints and the NCSA action plan and strategy to meet priority needs in terms of capacities. . A mechanism for the monitoring and evaluation of the progress achieved by the government of Djibouti to meet needs in terms of capacity building.

58. The project activities are detailed under section III below, in line with the GEF directives for the NCSA process. The proposed activities also reflect Djibouti’s national specificities as identified in the preliminary phase of this project document. The proposed activities have been discussed in the several meetings held during this phase and were developed in a consultative meeting, which regrouped high-ranking officials from various sectors of the government involved in sustainable development initiatives in Djibouti. At the end of this meeting, the project activities, outcomes and indicators, as well as the management arrangements and consultation process mechanisms to be adopted during the NCSA process, were agreed upon.

59. The NCSA will be tightly linked to other activities financed by the GEF that are currently being conducted or are scheduled and related to climate change, biodiversity and land degradation, which will complete the current preliminary activities within the context of the WSSD. The NCSA will be based on the second Country Cooperation Framework (CCF) for 2003-2007, which focuses on four major points: a) poverty reduction and promotion of social development, b) promotion of good governance and human rights, c) promotion of sustainable health and the fight against HIV/AIDS and other transmissible diseases; d) preservation/rationalization of water resources.

60. The NCSA will address the development of linkages and synergies of the following projects: . The UNDP/GEF project “Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Biological Diversity National Strategy and Action Plan”. The project, which was finalized in 2000, lies within the scope of the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP). The final document of the Strategy and National Action Program on Biological Diversity contains 18 priority themes. For each of the themes, the problem, the objectives, the strategies to be adopted and recommended projects are presented. Each of these projects was assessed. This

14 document intends to be a reference to assess the means to be implemented in order for Djibouti to be able to implement the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biological Diversity. . The report, which preceded the preparation of this document, enabled the drawing up of a preliminary inventory of biological resources. It also highlighted the constraints both on the human and institutional capacity levels, which hinder the effective conservation of biological diversity. In several fields, the lack of coordination and information exchange was underlined. All of these aspects should be taken into account by the NCSA. . The outcomes and the consultative process of the UNDP/GEF project “Additional Enabling Activities within the Scope of Climate Change,” finalized in 2001, should be implemented. This project enabled the identification of appropriate technologies to face climate change, and the design and development of national programs addressing climate changes in order to consolidate the results achieved during the first phase, with a particular emphasis on strengthening human and institutional capacities. . The consultative process financed by the UNDP/Dry Land Development Center for the finalization of the National Action Program (NAP) to combat desertification ended in 2001 and was concretized by the NAP paper. This document confirmed constraints to individual and institutional capacity strengthening faced by Djibouti and integrated capacity building as one of the major objectives to support Djibouti in its efforts to reduce soil degradation. The document stressed in particular the need to strengthen study and research capacity in this field. The NCSA may be a significant tool for the assessment of capacities and needs in terms of studies and research aimed at better management of water and soils. . Regional activities financed by the GEF are currently under study, in which Djibouti is an active partner: for instance, the sustainable management of transboundary environmental resources in Southwestern Djibouti. This project first tackles Lake Abbé as well as the associated plains and wetlands. The NCSA will enable Djibouti to better define these priorities in the project area, based on the constraints, which will be upgraded following the self-assessment process. . Moreover, within the scope of the PERSGA in general and the development of the Regional Action Program in particular, the data deriving from the NCSA based on an in-depth assessment of its capacities will enable Djibouti to position itself as a partner, defining in a more appropriate and targeted way its needs and priorities in terms of management of its marine and coastal resources.

61. In general, and in the light of global and national environmental challenges and objectives, the NCSA will enable Djibouti to better take into account its transversal needs and better identify the potential advantages, which may derive from a coordinated and synergic approach. The strengthening of individual, institutional and systemic capacities may be successfully achieved only if the constraints are identified in a transversal way and not in a sectoral and thematic way, as it has always been the case (within the scope of the enabling activities of the various conventions). This statement is of an utmost

15 importance in a small country such as Djibouti, where the mobilization of human resources remains a top priority.

III. Project Activities

62. Activity 1: Establish and maintain a project coordination mechanism

1- The Government will appoint a National Project Manager (NPM). The NPM will be responsible for mobilizing governmental and GEF assistance and for the outcomes expected within the NCSA process. In collaboration with the UNDP/GEF, the Government will establish a Project Management Unit (PMU) within the DTDE. The PMU will serve as a basis for the launching of the project and will include a full-time National Coordinator (NC) and an Administrative Assistant. The NC will be responsible for the daily management of the project and will develop, upon his/her arrival, an action plan and terms of reference for the necessary expertise to provide technical assistance and consulting during the NCSA process. The NC will prepare a detailed action plan and an initial report and will launch the recruitment of the required personnel and consultants.

Status Indicators: The NPM has been appointed, the PMU personnel recruited and the PMU is operational.

2- Creation of the Project Steering Committee (PSC). The Minister of Housing, Urban Planning, Environment and Territory Development (MHTETD) will appoint a Project Steering Committee (PSC). The PEC will include a GEF operational focal point, key members of the Executive Committees of the three conventions, the National Project Manager and a UNDP representative. The NC will be in charge in the PSC secretariat. The PSC will ensure the planning and implementation of project activities and will provide directives and orientations for project implementation. .

Status Indicators: A ministerial decree has defined the composition and mandate of the PSC. The PSC has approved an action plan, while the minutes of the PEC meetings and an initial report have also been approved.

3- Conduct a one-day high-level consultation between the members of the ETC to inform the representatives of the various groups of stakeholders represented in the ETC of the objectives and results of the NCSA global process. The ETC members will be convened by their President and will decide the ETC’s role in the NCSA process. This meeting will ensure the high-level political endorsement of the NCSA process and the adherence of stakeholder groups to the process (the ETC members are listed in Appendix 1).

Status Indicators: The ETC meeting has been held.

63. Activity 2. Stakeholder analysis, inventory of the knowledge gained and identification of gaps and loopholes

16 1- Stakeholder analysis and partnership development. With the assistance of three national consultants who will work in close collaboration with the technical secretariat of the three conventions’ Executive Committees, and by using the consultation mechanisms such as interviews and questionnaires, the NC will conduct the following activities: . Identify the main stakeholders and briefly describe the current activities/projects, identify their role and responsibilities in the environment sustainable management and propose clear roles for each partner throughout the NCSA process. . Establish relationships with the concerned stakeholders and invite their representatives to participate in the project activities. Some concerned stakeholders may work as resource persons. The stakeholder analysis should cover government organizations, civil society groups, private companies and community-based NGOs.

Status Indicators: Survey report on partners has been completed.

2- Assessment of the measures taken to implement environmental international conventions. With the assistance of national consultants in biodiversity, climate change and land degradation, and by using consultation mechanisms such as interviews and questionnaires, the NC shall conduct the following activities: . Establish linkages with current relevant projects in Djibouti and seek synergies in terms of joint activities, joint working groups or complementary technical work. . Establish linkages with the NCSAs in other Arab States and other regions and with relevant enabling programs with the UNDP and other GEF implementing agencies. . For each of the three conventions: (a) review the convention obligations; (b) assess the institutional frameworks (formal or informal, governmental or non governmental) responsible for the activities directly related to the objectives of each of the three conventions; (c) assess the actions taken to fulfill the conventions’ obligations; (d) assess previous efforts of capacity building and inventories of the knowledge gained from current activities; and (e) assess the unfulfilled engagements.

Status Indicators: List of references used, situation report completed.

3- Large-scale assessment of capacity development constraints. With the assistance of a national consultant specialized in capacity development and an international consultant specialized in capacity development and by using consultative mechanisms such as interviews and questionnaires, the NC will conduct the following activities: . On the basis of the abovementioned elements: a) review the directives related to capacity development regarding Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Land Degradation; (b) review the existing documentation related to capacity assessment in Djibouti; (c) identify the fields where capacity loopholes constitute a problem and collect basic information concerning the urgency of the problem, the required level of capacity, the problem scope and the expected facility with which the problem may be solved; (d) give information on the fields where capacities were not assessed; (e) identify the gaps and loopholes related to alternative strategies, assess alternative strategies and record reactions and upgradings as much as necessary. A preliminary assessment report summarizing the inventory of the knowledge gained will be prepared by the project team in order to reflect the analysis of the concerned and partner

17 stakeholders, the past or current measures taken to implement the conventions on global environment and a list of capacity development problems threatening global environmental management. Status Indicators: Preliminary assessment report has been completed. . 64. Activity 3. Consultation between stakeholders

1. Organize a series of regional meetings on the level of each district to involve local stakeholders in the NCSA process. These meetings will invite the local administration, community-based organizations, local technical departments and local NGOs. These consultations should ensure local stakeholders’ contributions to the general progress achieved in the implementation of global environment and capacity development constraints hindering the achievement of global environment objectives. The main outcome should be a series of capacity strengthening proposals/priorities assessed at all levels and a list of proposed options to reduce capacity development constraints.

Status Indicators: Meeting reports have been approved by local stakeholders

2- Organize the NCSA first national workshop. This national meeting aims at validating the consolidated results and reports of the regional workshops as well as capacity development inventory and constraints identification reports. This meeting would invite representatives from all governmental and non-governmental central institutions involved in the sustainable development and management of the environment in Djibouti. A drafting committee of the national workshop or a working group will be created during the first workshop in order to endorse the results of the regional meetings.

Status Indicators: Report has been consolidated and approved

65. Activity 4. Select priority fields for an in-depth analysis and conduct an in-depth analysis of the selected priority fields

1- Identify, confirm or examine priority issues in each thematic sector. With the assistance of a national expert and an international expert specialized in the identification and running of the prioritization technique, the NC will conduct the following activities: . With the assistance of a national consultant and an international consultant, organize a national training session aimed at strengthening capacities in the field of analysis, approach and methodological tools used within the scope of prioritization, monitoring and evaluation of the programs projects or actions. . After the review of the thematic profiles, strengths and weaknesses should be obvious. The prioritization matrix may thus be used to help working groups identify, confirm or review priority problems in each of the thematic sectors: climate change, biodiversity and land degradation. By defining or confirming priority aspects we will also have a benchmark to identify capacity constraints and thus identify capacity building future projects. The definition (or confirmation and examination) of priorities should enable the selection of a reasonable number of fundamental priorities, which may be subject to capacity strengthening measures.

18 Status Indicators: Priority problems analysis report has been completed.

2. Identification of capacity constraints for each priority problem on the level of each thematic sector. With the assistance of a team of experts specialized in the field of each identified constraint, the NC will conduct the following activities: After determining a certain number of priority problems, corresponding capacity problems may be identified within each thematic sector. To efficiently identify and assess capacity problems, it is necessary to explore and approve the tools to be used: Logical Framework Approach (LFA), Problem and Objective Trees, SWOT, Force Field Analysis. An arborescence diagram is a useful tool, which may be used to develop a root cause analysis. This supposes the identification of key problems for each priority case. This root cause analysis may be conducted when the participants deem that the problems and their cause and linkages have been correctly explored. The outcome would be a list of problems (including the identification of the focal or central problem) related to the thematic sector. These problems are essentially capacity deficiencies. They can be regrouped within individual, intuitional and systemic deficiency categories. It is important to assess and classify gaps and loopholes according to these three levels of capacity gaps since the deficiency level will affect the way in which the required capacity is strengthened.

Status Indicators: Procedures have been adopted in the selection of problems.

3. Conduct an assessment across the three thematic sectors. With the assistance of a team of experts and an expert in prioritization techniques, the NC will conduct the following activities: An identification of capacity strengthening synergies will be conducted in the three thematic sectors, which may also meet the needs of the broader context of global environmental management and sustainable development. The identification of cross-sectoral synergies addressing the capacity strengthening needs under the Rio conventions and global environmental management may thus be an effective means to ensure efficiency.

Status Indicators: Procedures have been adopted for the selection of synergies.

66. Activity 5. Prepare the NCSA Brief, Strategy and Action Plan

1. Preparation of the self-assessment document. With the assistance of a group of regional/national consultants, the NC will conduct the following activities: The results of the previous assessment phase should enable the summarization of the conclusions in the form of a self-assessment brief document. This document will be an important tool, which should be put at the disposal of the national decision makers and external financing organizations to accurately determine the capacities to be strengthened to protect global environment.

Status Indicators: A brief summary report is available.

2. Move from the NCSA to the elaboration of a strategy. With the assistance of a group of regional/national consultants, the NC will conduct the following activities: On the basis of the identified capacity development needs and possibilities, a capacity strengthening strategy to protect global environment will be prepared. This strategy will include a goal, specific objectives to be achieved and action lines or concrete projects. It would be useful to prepare a strategy for each intervention sector as well as a cross-sectoral strategy. It is important

19 to integrate monitoring actions, including GEF specific action plans, into the scope of the environment and sustainable development national management.

Status Indicators: Type of prepared strategy: new integration plan/mechanisms based on existing programs.

67. Activity 6. National Consultation for NCSA Validation, National Capacity Strengthening Action Plan and Strategy

1. A second national workshop will be organized. This consultation meeting will be organized to include all of the stakeholders and other concerned governmental departments to submit the results of the prioritization work and in-depth analysis of the selected priorities and their analysis, the NCSA assessment report and the initial version of the NCSA Action Plan and Strategy. The deliberations of this meeting will be integrated in the revised document of the NCSA Action Plan and Strategy.

Status Indicators: Interim version of the NCSA Action Plan and Strategy has been revised.

2. A high level meeting of the ETC will be convened to approve and disseminate the final version of the NCSA Action Plan and Strategy. The NCSA Action Plan and Strategy will be submitted to the government for endorsement and implementation.

Status Indicators: NCSA Strategy and Action Plan are available.

3. A meeting of bilateral and multilateral partners will be organized to present the NCSA process and its outcomes. The NCSA Strategy and Action Plan will be presented as well as the result of the concrete developments that have occurred since the start of the NCSA in the field of capacity development for global environmental management in Djibouti. This meeting is aimed at mobilizing their support for follow-up actions to the NCSA.

Status Indicators: A round table of partners has been organized.

20 IV. Monitoring

68. The ETC will be the high-level political body that defines the project global directives and strategic vision. Upon the launching of the project, the ETC will be informed of the project scope and of the approach for the project implementation and activities. The ETC will also provide political and institutional support to the NCSA strategy and action plan to ensure that project outcomes are understood by all high-level players and that the NCSA results are integrated in the planning and development agendas of the ETC’s various stakeholders. The ETC will support the endorsement of the NCSA report, strategy and action plan by the authorized political authorities, under the supervision of its President.

69. A Project Steering Committee (PSC) will be appointed by virtue of a ministerial decree. The PSC will include the GEF focal point, the DTDE director, the focal points of the three Executive Committees of the three conventions, the NPM and the UNDP. The NC will be in charge of the secretariat of the PSC. The PSC’s role will be to guide the project activities, approve the action plans and terms of reference, disseminate the project products and ensure that the project is strongly integrated in the environmental and development current initiatives. The PSC should meet on a regular basis (monthly) throughout the project’s duration and should be convened to take important decisions regarding the management of the project. The PSC will report the NCSA results and progress to the ETC and its president.

70. The project will be executed by the DTDE. In collaboration with the UNDP/GEF, the Government will ensure the creation of a Project Management Unit (PMU) within the DTDE. The PMU will constitute the core body for the launching of the project implementation. It will include a National Coordinator (NC) employed by the project on a full-time basis and an Administrative Assistant. The NC will work under the supervision of the NPM. The NC will be responsible for the project’s daily management and operations. He/she will resort to the necessary expertise to provide the necessary assistance and consulting to the NCSA process. The NC will also be responsible for the production and submittal of the action plans and quarterly progress reports to the PSC and the UNDP. The NC (assisted by NPM and the PSC) will supervise the organization of the PSC workshops and meetings and ensure the timely and efficient availability of the project deliverables.

71. The project will conduct large-scale consultations with the partners and concerned bodies in society. The consultations may lead to the identification of experts and expertise, which may be important in supporting the process.

V. Timetable

72. Monthly progress of the expected activities.

21 Activities Month 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 Establish and maintain a X project coordination mechanism Inventory of the knowledge X X gained and identification of gaps and loopholes Regional and national X consultations involving all stakeholders Identify priority actions and X X X define the capacities to be strengthened for each priority issue Prepare the NCSA brief X X X document, Strategy and Action Plan National Consultation for the X approval of the NCSA brief, Strategy and Action Plan Permanent monitoring X X X X mechanisms

22 VI. Budget

73. Budget in USD of the expected activities within the scope of the NSCA: the government of Djibouti will provide a contribution in kind of USD 50,000. This will include office equipment and supplies, the NPM and other members of the PSC, the time of the ETC members, consultations and meeting rooms, political support, transport of the government official delegation within the country. Budget of expected activities is listed below. 74. All acquisitions of goods and services will be made in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures. The UNDP will play a key role in orienting the activities by ensuring that they are in line with NCSA directives. This supposes an appropriate focus on systemic capacity building needs, making sure that the consultation process is sufficiently large and if necessary, ensuring that the project focuses on cross-convention issues.

Activity Inventory of Process Result TOTAL the (US$) knowledge gained Sectoral assessments _Biodiversity 10,000 15,000 5,000 30,000 _Climate change 10,000 15,000 5,000 30,000 _Land degradation 10,000 15,000 5,000 30,000 _Others (to be defined) Partial total 30,000 45,000 15,000 90,000 Analysis of cross-sectoral 10,000 50,000 10,000 70,000 aspects and synergies, in- depth analysis of priorities Partial total 10,000 50,000 10,000 70,000 Formulation of a strategy 10,000 5,000 15,000 and action plan Partial total 10,000 5,000 15,000 Coordination, 20,000 5,000 25,000 management, monitoring and evaluation (participation in the regional seminar) Partial total 20,000 5,000 25,000

TOTAL 40,000 125,000 35,000 200,000

23 VII. Appendix

Composition of the Environmental Technical Committee (ETC)

By virtue of Decree # 96-0007/PRE dated 25 February 1996, the ETC includes representatives from the following directorates, services, institutions and associations: . Directorate of the Economy, . General Directorate of National Education, . Directorate of Breeding and Fishery . Directorate of Maritime Affairs . Directorate of Public Health . Directorate of Housing and Urban Planning . ISERST . Sites and Environment Protection Services within the DNOT . Rural Engineering Service . Agriculture and Forests Service . Industrial Development Service . Commission for Social Development and Environmental Protection within the National Assembly . Concerned Districts . International Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Djibouti . National Union of Djibouti Women . Association of Volunteers for Integrated Development . Association of Mutual Aid of Quarter 4 . Gobaad Agro Breeding Cooperative . Hanle Agro Breeding Cooperative

The ETC presidency and secretariat are respectively entrusted to the representative of the Prime Minister and the DTDE. The representatives of directorates, services, institutions and associations are appointed by virtue of a ministerial decree.

24