38428 Public Disclosure Authorized

November 2006

I. A Letter from the CEO II. GEF Council Meeting III. Third GEF Assembly - A Retrospective a. UNDP view of Assembly b. Overview of the IYDD Forum c. Overview of the NGO Forum d. Evaluation Office e. Roundtables

Public Disclosure Authorized 1. Market-Based Mechanisms 2. Mitigation and Adaptation 3. National Priorities and RAF IV. Climate Change COP12 in Nairobi V. Fourth Replenishment VI. Update on RAF VII. New Focal Points/Council Members VIII. Announcements IX. Obituary

Public Disclosure Authorized I. A Letter from the CEO Monique Barbut

Dear Colleague:

It is a pleasure to be addressing you for the first time in “Talking Points,” the newsletter of the GEF family. I look forward to many more opportunities in the months ahead.

A large portion of this newsletter reports on the Third GEF Assembly that was held in , , August 29-30, 2006. Although a summary of the Assembly was published and there were extensive reports in the media, we thought readers who were unable to join us would appreciate getting a bird’s eye view of the events in Cape Town.

Public Disclosure Authorized I am pleased to report excellent progress on substantive issues that are of strategic importance to the GEF. For example, at a special meeting, the GEF Council endorsed the fourth replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund to the tune of $3.13 billion, the biggest replenishment ever in the GEF’s history. In doing so, the Council marked a new era for the GEF and I am fully committed to enhancing the GEF’s effectiveness and increasing its impacts with respect to implementation of the international environmental agreements.

The Assembly itself was hugely successful, thanks also to the superb arrangements made by our host country, the Government of South Africa. We were delighted that the Assembly was opened by H.E. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Deputy President, and that other South African dignitaries took an active part in the proceedings.

As many of you will know, the GEF has begun implementing the new Resource Allocation Framework (RAF) for the biodiversity and climate change focal areas. At the time of writing, the 12th Conference of Parties of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya. The GEF and its partners have participated in the proceedings, working to highlight the development challenges posed by climate change and the need to urgently accelerate adaptation and mitigation measures. In addition, we are preparing for the next meeting of the GEF Council to be held December 5-9, 2006 in Washington, DC. A detailed agenda is included in this newsletter.

I look forward to maintaining contact through this column. I hope you find “Talking Points” to be a useful source of information about the GEF family, and as always, feedback is welcome. I encourage you to share your thoughts with us at [email protected]

With best wishes,

Monique Barbut CEO and Chairperson Global Environment Facility

II.GEF December Council Meeting

Highlights of Upcoming GEF Council Meeting

The next meeting of the GEF Council is scheduled to be held December 5-8, 2006 in Washington, DC. An NGO consultation will be held on December 4, 2006. The Provisional Agenda includes:

1. Opening of the meeting 2. Election of a Chairperson 3. Adoption of the agenda 4. Statement by the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC 5. STAP 6. Incremental cost evaluation 7. Evaluation of experience with Executing Agencies 8. Evaluation Office progress report 9. Evaluation of GEF project cycle and modalities 10. Rules, procedures and objective criteria for project selection, pipeline management and cancellation policy 11. Results management framework 12. Strategies for focal areas 13. Work program 14. Business plan 15. Procedures for approval of sub-projects under larger projects and programs 16. Implications of amending the Instrument to reflect the designation of the GEF as a financial mechanism of the UNCCD 17. Strategy for financing biosafety and management response 18. Roles and comparative advantages of the GEF Implementing Agencies 19. Report on project data reconciliation 20. Review of financial statements 21. Progress report on the implementation of the RAF 22. Other business 23. Joint summary of the Chairs

Brief Highlights of Selected Agenda Items

Rules, Procedures and Objective Criteria for Project Selection, Pipeline Management, Approval of Sub-Projects, and Cancellation Policy (GEF/C.30/3) One of the policy recommendations from the negotiations associated with the Fourth Replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund, requests the Secretariat to develop “clear rules, procedures and objective criteria for project selection and management of the pipeline, including a policy for cancellation of projects.” At the August 28, 2006 Council meeting, the GEF Council requested the Secretariat to prepare a policy paper for consideration at the December 2006 meeting, clarifying the procedures to be followed for the approval of sub-projects developed under larger programs and umbrella projects approved by the Council. Progress Report on the Development of the Results Based Management Framework (GEF/C.30/5) The policy recommendations for the Fourth Replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund also requested the GEF Secretariat, GEF Agencies and the GEF Evaluation Office to develop, in consultation with recipient countries, a set of common quantitative and qualitative indicators and tracking tools for each focal area, to be used consistently in all projects, with a view to facilitating aggregation of results at the country and program levels as well as assessment of GEF’s transformational impact. A complete results management framework which addresses quality at entry of project proposals, mid-term and end replenishment targets, and reporting on results of complete projects, will be presented for Council discussion. Legal, Operational and Financial Implications of an Amendment of the GEF Instrument to Reflect the Designation of the GEF as a Financial Mechanism of the UNCCD (GEF/C.30/7) A proposal for an amendment of GEF Instrument to reflect the designation of the GEF as a financial mechanism of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification will be presented to the Council. The Council shall consider and approve arrangements to facilitate collaboration between the GEF and the UNCCD. Pending the formal approval of the proposed amendment to the Instrument and recognizing the operational and financial implications of the amendment as described in document GEF/C.30/7, it is proposed that the GEF Secretariat and the GEF agencies implement the amendment in good faith pending a formal adoption by the next Assembly.

III. Third GEF Assembly – A Photo Montage

The Third GEF Assembly was held in historic Cape Town, the “Mother City” of South Africa. The Government of South Africa, the Provincial Government, Ministry of Finance, and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism were wonderful hosts of the Assembly.

The Assembly was chaired by His Excellency, , Minister of Finance for the Republic of South Africa. The Vice-Chairs were Anne Stenhammer, State Secretary, Norway, and Roberto Dobles Mora, Minister of Environment, Costa Rica. The Assembly was gaveled to a close on August 30, 2006.

Read Chairman’s summary

Photo 1

H.E. Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Deputy President, delivered the opening address to a packed auditorium at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Her main message: Environmental issues are people issues. She urged participants to “demystify the issues of environment,” and do all that they can to “show that ordinary people, particularly the rural poor, have a role to play in ensuring that our environment is protected and to promote good practices when it comes to environmental issues.”

Photo 2

H.E. Tasneem Essop, H.E. Trevor Manuel, H.E. , the Deputy President and Monique Barbut, GEF CEO at the opening ceremony.

Photo 3

The VIPs played a “Limpopo River Game” with children from the Cape Town Area. Basically, an awareness-raising game, it allows children (and adults!) to acquire greater knowledge about flooding and helps communities to better cope with the ravages of floods that affect the entire southern African region.

Photo 4

A colorful cultural program was the highlight of the opening ceremony.

Photo 5

The Third GEF Assembly provided an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of key global environmental challenges and the need for concerted actions to address them. GEF and its partners set up over 30 booths, packed with information for the benefit of Assembly participants.

Photo 5a

Monique Barbut, GEF CEO paid a visit to the booths (seen here with Dr. Xie Fie in front of the China Booth.)

Photo 6

Cape Town is home to the famed “fynbos biome,” and the wonderful flowers of the protea family.

Photo 7

Over 150 volunteers from South Africa were the lifeline of the Assembly, accomplishing myriad tasks, and making Assembly participants feel right at home. In the press of things, as the Assembly closed and everybody heaved a sigh of relief, there was time for one quick ‘unscripted’ group photo with Monique Barbut, GEF CEO.

Photo 8

Media interest in the Third GEF Assembly was high, and the various events received wide coverage in print, broadcast, and online media. At the closing press conference, over 30 journalists were briefed. The press conference was chaired by H.E. Trevor Manuel, Minister of Finance, South Africa (L to R: Frank Pinto, UNDP; Steen Jorgensen, World Bank; Achim Steiner, UNEP; Monique Barbut, GEF; Minister Manuel; H.E. , Minister of Environment, South Africa, and Nick Nuttal, UNEP).

“Talking Points” acknowledges photo contributions from Bruce Sutherland.

III.a. UNDP view of Assembly

Frank Pinto Executive Coordinator, UNDP-GEF

Time seems to have flown by since the Third GEF Assembly in Cape Town, and before memories recede, it is useful to pause and reflect on that very successful event.

Immediately prior to the Assembly, the best news came in the form of a robust replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund topping $3.13 billion. The replenishment was announced at a special meeting of the GEF Council on August 28, at which 15 new GEF-UNDP projects were also approved.

At the GEF Assembly, a series of events were held, including the signing of a groundbreaking agreement for establishing an interim Benguela Current Commission (BCC), endorsement of a new initiative to “green” the World Cup 2010 which will be hosted by South Africa, and organizing site visits for Assembly delegates to view projects financed by GEF and partners.

The Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem project event was opened by UNDP Associate Administrator Ad Melkert, GEF CEO Monique Barbut, and Ministers of Angola, Namibia and South Africa. It marked the establishment of the Benguela Current Commission (BCC), which unites the governments of Angola, Namibia and South Africa in managing shared marine resources and in implementing the Benguela Current Strategic Action Plan.

A statement was made by international footballers and UNDP goodwill ambassadors Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima and Zinedine Zidane endorsing UNDP’s support for an initiative which will help ‘green’ the 2010 World Cup. By upgrading and better planning bus and rail services in hosting cities and demonstrating the use of alternative fuels and technologies, the initiative is being developed to show millions of World Cup fans that a well-designed, environmentally friendly public transport system can provide an alternative to private cars, thereby helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.

UNDP helped co-organize a series of site visits for all GEF Assembly participants to GEF-funded projects in the Cape Town area. Featured GEF projects implemented by UNDP included the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative, a visit to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) at the Kirstenbosch Gardens, and the GloBallast Project focusing on global ballast water issues and invasive species. A visit to Hermanus, regarded as the best land-based whale watching destination in the world, was also on the itinerary.

Other events to which UNDP contributed were the corporate GEF National Dialogue Initiative, lessons and experiences in mainstreaming biodiversity and mobilizing sustainable financing for protected areas; building capacity to counter the threat of invasive species; demonstrating the results of the IW:Learn program; capacity building and mainstreaming sustainable land management for Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States; participation in a TerrAfrica briefing; adaptation to climate change; sustainable transport; promoting energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions, and on threats posed by persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

III.b. Overview of the IYDD Forum - Call for a Major Push to Combat Land Degradation

The GEF Forum on “Sustainable Land and Water Management,” held prior to the Third GEF Assembly consisted of three symposia and a high- level round table attended by over 250 participants, including six African ministers and Heads of Agencies. “The Forum was instrumental in focusing attention on land degradation issues,” said Walter Lusigi, Senior Environmental Specialist, GEF Secretariat. “It was our contribution to the UN’s International Year of Deserts and Desertification campaign, 2006.”

The following statement was agreed by the Forum participants and was submitted to the Third GEF Assembly:

1. Ever-increasing demands on the land from global economic growth, burgeoning cities and rural people are driving unprecedented land use change. Land use change is often driving soil erosion, water scarcity and salinity, nutrient overdraft, pollution and forest loss - undermining the ecosystems that support our habitat, economy and society. Land degradation is not just a collection of local difficulties; it is a global issue responsible for climate change, loss of biodiversity, rural poverty, and the flight of people to cities and across borders. Extreme land degradation and extreme poverty join forces in drylands where the vagaries of climate are often exacerbated by unsustainable land management.

2. It is proven that land degradation can be reversed but effective technologies are yet to be translated into effective policies, and the resources applied are not even of the same order of magnitude as the scale of the problem.

3. The mandate of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is to protect the global life support system on which all life depends. Land degradation, part of this mandate, is an environment issue and, at the same time, a development issue. Sustainable land management is essential to both combat degradation of ecosystems and to raise human well-being.

4. The GEF has provided a new impetus to efforts to combat land degradation through its many linkage projects and its Operational Program 15 (OP#15) on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) through investments, capacity building, projects, and framework processes such as Country Pilot Partnerships (CPP) and TerrAfrica. SLM is being carried into national development programs and donor cooperation frameworks by GEF’s collaboration with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Global Mechanism; these initiatives are beginning to make a difference and need to be continued and expanded.

5. A critical aspect of OP#15 is the integration of land, water, biodiversity and societal issues. This enables responses to problems affecting whole ecosystems and economies, through coordinated land use planning and resource management. Integrated land and water management is important everywhere but critical in drylands - to conserve biodiversity, moderate climatic fluctuations and change, and enhance productivity.

6. SLM involves a combination of scientific knowledge, local knowledge and know-how, innovation, and community-driven action. New capacity for knowledge management and exchange plays a key role; transparent knowledge-sharing and feedback are important GEF principles.

7. GEF is encouraged to test implementation of the concept of integrated land and water resources management by working with countries to: a. Define problem/opportunity areas in the context of ecosystems or drainage basins; b. Create community-based approaches to improved natural resources management; c. Identify and pursue activities that will yield global benefits.

8. GEF, as a coordinating agent, should take the lead to develop a policy and administrative framework within which various sectoral, national and district organizations can contribute to such integrated approaches as SLM.

9. In view of the critical state and trend of land degradation, GEF and its partner agencies are urged to focus on activities that will result in a significant reduction in land degradation and its damage to ecosystem services and to the poor. Every effort should be made to increase the resources devoted at national and international levels, and to improve their effectiveness where the need is greatest – in particular in Africa.

10. At a minimum, the Forum background paper on Resource Mobilization recommends an additional 10 – 15 percent annual increase in resources for the next ten years by countries and donor agencies.

III.c. Overview of the NGO Forum

“Turning Policy into Reality from the Ground Up” was the theme of the civil society forum held in Cape Town on August 28. The Forum’s themes included the impact of land degradation on people’s livelihoods and the environment; the climate and energy challenge; and biodiversity conservation.

The forum had two objectives: • Provide an opportunity for NGOs, indigenous people’s groups and rural and urban grassroots communities to participate and contribute their knowledge and expertise to discussions on the global environment, sustainable livelihoods, and poverty eradication

• Bring to the attention of governments and regional organizations, the capacity and contributions of these groups to address global environmental challenges and offering recommendations on how best to incorporate their perspectives into policies and strategies that make a difference at the local level

Dorothy Manuel, Central Focal Point for the GEF-NGO Network and Executive Director, ZERO Regional Environment Organization welcomed delegates from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and host nation South Africa. She briefed participants about the NGO Forum’s role in ensuring the centrality of civil society in the GEF.

In her opening remarks, newly elected GEF CEO, Monique Barbut, noted that this was the first GEF Assembly to be held on the African continent, and that it coincided with the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.

Acknowledging that Africa faced enormous challenges with respect to its climate, soil fertility, water and biodiversity, she noted that development and environment were inextricably interlinked. Ms. Barbut also outlined the implementation of the new Resource Allocation Framework (RAF), and urged delegates to help make it “work for the best and not for the worst.”

In his speech, Forum moderator Ambassador Rex Horoi underscored his wish to see GEF funding reaching those for whom it was intended as well as the need for grassroots’ communities to be engaged in policymaking. The media, he observed, played a critical role not only in helping achieve civil society goals but changing the mindset of the donor community.

A highlight of the Forum was a presentation by Fatima Jibrell, Executive Director, Horn Relief, on combating desertification in the Horn of Africa. Speaking from first-hand experience, she spoke about the impacts of charcoal production and export on desertification in Somalia; the low levels of international awareness about drought and pastoralism in Somalia; and the deleterious impacts of the international arms trade on the Somali people. Ms. Jibrell is a winner of the Goldman Environment Prize. Noel Maxwell Oettle, Environmental Monitoring Group, emphasized the need for being creative and taking into account local knowledge when addressing land management issues. Hubertus Samangun, Indigenous Peoples' Network, expressed hope that the needs of indigenous peoples will be addressed by the Third GEF Assembly.

In the session on climate and the energy challenge, Richard Worthington, Earthlife Africa, discussed South Africa's future energy options. He demonstrated that investing in clean energy sources not only reduces carbon pollution, but also creates jobs and reduces poverty while being cost-effective.

Emad Adly of the Arab Network for Environment and Development described lessons learned from Egypt's experience with the GEF Small Grants Programme. He noted the importance dialogue between policy-makers and grassroots organizations, the need for localized "win-win" approaches to global issues; capacity building; and private sector engagement. Questioning whether GEF grants will provide social and economic justice, Annie Sugrue, Citizens United for Renewable Energy and Sustainability, highlighted the disconnect between political and financial will in South Africa for developing renewable energy programs.

In the discussion on biodiversity—moving from debate to action, Professor Van Riet of Peace Parks-South Africa illustrated how transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) seek to manage environmental and cultural resources across borders while fostering sustainable economic development, regional peace and stability. Participants also discussed whether the focus on energy efficiency was successful; the role of inadequate domestic capacity in hindering access to GEF resources under the RAF; the extent of collaboration with the private sector; and the need for technology transfer modalities. Participants reflected on the successes and challenges of the last decade. There was a general consensus that although much had been achieved and learned, significant challenges remain. But perhaps the strongest sentiment to emerge from the Forum was the need for partnership. However, some participants expressed discomfort at the GEF new funding mechanism as embodied in the RAF, while others felt the GEF was pushing NGOs into “forced marriages” with the private sector.

Ending the forum on a hugely positive note, Achim Steiner, the newly appointed Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), noted that it was close to 15 years since the idea of a Global Environment Facility (GEF) was first mooted, as a social contract between the North and South. And now that the GEF’s coffers had been replenished, it was time to celebrate. He urged civil society to remain engaged in the international environmental discourse, reassess its future role in the GEF and other international processes, and to develop new ways of think about existing dilemmas.

III.d. Evaluation Office

Looking back on the Assembly, the GEF Evaluation Office found it to be a vibrant week with a very positive atmosphere and successful talks on many issues.

On the second day the Director, Rob D. van den Berg, reported on the Third Overall Performance Study of the GEF (OPS3) as well as more recent evaluations, highlighting positive results in the areas of biodiversity and climate change and optimistic projected contributions. The evidence that the Evaluation Office reports on is about intermediary results rather than the final impact that the GEF is trying to achieve.

In regard to future results under GEF-4, he stressed two points. The GEF should not harbor unrealistic expectations as it is not able to solve global environmental problems on its own. The problems are immense and the GEF must be realistic about what it can do. Secondly, expectations for results for GEF-4 should be lower than for GEF-3 as the fourth replenishment is lower in real terms than in previous periods, and the available funds need to be spread over more goals and focal areas. Donors should not expect more results for less money.

The Evaluation Office hosted a side event on OPS3 which was well attended and a success. The side event was chaired by Yolanda Kakabadse, Chair of the GEF Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP). The panelists included Roberto Dobles, Minister of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica; Mark Wagner, OPS3 Team Leader, and Rob van den Berg.

The Evaluation Office disseminated its publications from a table in the GEF corporate booth. Hard copies and CDs of OPS3 in six languages were distributed as well as recent evaluation reports and documents.

Staff from the Evaluation Office participated in the Assembly roundtables and site visits. While in South Africa, EO staff took the opportunity to meet with country delegations and other members of the GEF partnership to discuss results of GEF evaluations and future work program. Evaluation Office staff also worked on several on-going evaluations conducting meetings with the Government of South Africa and Implementing and Executing Agencies, and writing sections of evaluation documents. The ongoing evaluations include the Joint Evaluation of the GEF Modalities and Activities Cycle, the Experience of Executing Agencies under Expanded Opportunities in the GEF, and Incremental Cost Assessment.

The OPS3 report, document GEF/A.3/7, is available in six languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) on the Assembly website www.thegef.org/3rd_assembly/. Rob van den Berg’s statement is also posted on the GEF Assembly website, under statements.

The OPS3 report, other publications, and further information about the on-going evaluations can be found on the Evaluation Office’s website www.thegef.org. Copies of OPS3 can be requested by contacting the GEF Evaluation Office by email at [email protected].

III.e High-level Roundtables

Roundtable 1. Market-Based Mechanisms to Finance Global Environmental Conventions

Co-Chaired by Thomas Kolly (Switzerland) and Achim Steiner (Executive Director, UNEP), the participants of this roundtable felt that the timing is opportune for energetic initiatives to support market mechanisms for financing global environmental conventions. (South Africa) discussed the opportunities and obstacles relating to implementing market-based mechanisms for financing environmental conventions. He pointed out that the private sector will protect the environment when it is profitable to do so.

The discussions in the roundtable focused on the importance of such mechanisms in the context of changing dynamics brought about by public- private partnerships, multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society. Private sector representatives gave examples, where effective markets exist, of the increasing interest of investors and consumers in environmentally oriented products and services.

One of the important roles of the GEF and its partners, as identified by the roundtable, is to catalyze the establishment of new markets and engineering efficiency. However, an important entry point for GEF investment will be to remove barriers to markets, for example by helping to create enabling policies and legislation as well as by strengthening institutions that regulate markets.

As regards the challenges for the GEF and its partners, the roundtable emphasized the need for the further improvement of work processes, reduce bureaucracy and promote risk-taking in multilateral and public institutions circumscribing access to concessional finance. An additional challenge identified by the roundtable was to ensure that markets are open and transparent, and operate according to a rule-based system.

The discussion note for this roundtable is available on the GEF website at: http://thegef.org/3rd_assembly/46/HighlevelRoundtables.html

Roundtable 2. Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation

This roundtable was co-chaired by Minister Thompson (Barbados), Dr. Corrado-Clini (Italy). Steen Jorgenson (World Bank) presented a summary of recent work being prepared by the World Bank and the other IFIs on the clean energy investment framework. Mr. Albert Binger (University of the West Indies) presented perspectives on climate change mitigation and adaptation from the perspective of the SIDS.

Nonetheless, all speakers supported the idea that responding to climate change must include both mitigating GHG emissions and adapting to the adverse impacts of the climate change that already exist.

Several key themes recurred throughout the discussion, including: the need for all countries to begin to fund adaptation even if the nature of the precise adaptation varies; the role of knowledge, capacity, policies and money in transforming markets for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and spreading adaptation technologies; more efficient and effective use of GEF resources; developing and releasing capacity; and Mainstreaming Climate Change into all sectors.

Climate Change is not just an environment issue, it is cross cutting, and ministries of finance and environment need to be on the same page about mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

The discussion note for this roundtable is available on the GEF website at: http://thegef.org/3rd_assembly/46/HighlevelRoundtables.html

Roundtable 3. Identifying National Priorities and Allocating Resources to Enhance Results and Impacts at the Country Level The roundtable was divided into two sessions on National Strategies and the Resource Allocation Framework respectively.

National Strategies

This session was chaired by Li Yong, Vice Minister, Ministry of Finance, China and featured a presentation by Trieu Van Be, Vice Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Vietnam who described some of the steps in developing the national environmental strategy in Vietnam. These included ensuring stakeholder participation, hosting national dialogues and consultation workshops, identifying relevant focal areas, and developing a public website.

He also noted some of the challenges faced in the process and placed particular emphasis on how to involve the wider public in GEF projects and the need to strengthen capacity in many sectors and institutions. A number of Heads of Delegation also spoke about their countries’ experiences in developing national environmental strategies. They highlighted the importance of close coordination among government agencies, well-designed and well-functioning institutions, and close monitoring and evaluation of plans and their implementation. They also raised a number of problems they faced in these processes, including a lack of capacity, inadequate resources, and an overall lack of environmental awareness. Many representatives noted that these problems are often accentuated in smaller countries. The representative speaking on behalf of the NGOs encouraged wider consultation in the development of national strategies and suggested that agreed strategies should be publicly available, for example through government websites.

Resource Allocation Framework

Roger Ehrhardt, Director-General, Multilateral Development Institutions, Canadian International Development Agency chaired this session and Ramon Fernandez, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry, France provided opening remarks. He noted that he expected the RAF to improve the transparency of allocations and the predictability of resources, while noting that the real test of the RAF will be whether it enables the GEF to achieve its mandate in a more effective manner. He suggested that, among other issues, the mid-term review of the RAF could address the impact of the RAF on regional programs and on the role of civil society.

A number of common concerns were raised, including: • The need to develop a vulnerability index to better reflect the situation in the poorer developing countries, particularly in small-island developing states (SIDS); • The possible impact of the RAF on the relations between the GEF and the environmental conventions; • The concern that the RAF may make it more difficult to fund regional projects; • The possible impact of the RAF on countries that have poor planning and implementation capacity and the consequent need to reinforce these capacities in such countries; • The low weighting given to marine resources in the Biodiversity indicator; • The lack of transparency in the criteria used for the performance-related parts of the RAF and the lack of involvement of the Assembly in the RAF discussions; • The need to develop a special program for the SIDS, possibly modeled on the small grants program.

The representative of the NGO community also requested that NGOs be involved in the mid-term review process and suggested that the review also consider how national consultations were held.

The discussion note for this roundtable is available on the GEF website at: http://thegef.org/3rd_assembly/46/HighlevelRoundtables.html

IV. Kenya hosts Climate Change COP12 in Nairobi

Up to 7,000 delegates from around the world attended the twelfth session of the Conf erence of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) in Nairobi, Kenya from November 6 to 17, 2006. The conference was the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa and was being held in conjunction with the second meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. GEF CEO and Chairperson Monique Barbut addressed the Joint High-level Segment of the COP 12 and COP/MOP 2 at its opening on November 15. Ms. Barbut spoke of the challenges in linking adaptation to development and reaffirmed GEF’s commitment to helping vulnerable countries adapt to climate change. The GEF also held a press conference and two side events on renewable energy and adaptation in Africa respectively. A new publication, Linking Adaptation to Development, was released to coincide with the COP, as well as two fact sheets on the Least Developed Countries Fund, the Special Climate Change Fund and GEF’s work on adaptation.

V. Fourth Replenishment Tops $3.13 Billion - Major funding push to protect the global environment

At a special meeting of the GEF Council held in Cape Town, August 28, 2006, the GEF received its biggest ever financial boost with 32 governments agreeing to contribute US$ 3.13 billion to finance environmental projects over the next four years.

“This strong show of support from the international donor community is remarkable, and signals firm commitment to protecting the global environment,” said Monique Barbut, GEF CEO and Chairperson commenting on the record replenishment. “We cannot be complacent, and time is not on our side. The global environment is facing unprecedented threats, and these funds have to be translated rapidly into projects, programs and policies that make a difference in developing countries” she added.

The funding comes at a crucial time when fears about environmental and ecological red flags – loss of species and habitats, threats from changing climate, land degradation and desertification, pollution of shared waters, and health hazards posed by persistent organic pollutants – are increasing, and showing worrying signs of stress and severity.

Over a year ago, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment warned that human activities are “putting such strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet’s ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted.” Similarly, the United Nations has warned that environmental degradation will hamper ongoing efforts by developing nations to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

“The GEF is a unique facility. It allows the international community to come together and coordinate real solutions for the world’s major environmental concerns. At a time when global ecological challenges need strong multilateral action, this new funding for the GEF will go a long way to provide cohesive and sustainable programs” said Philippe Le Houerou, World Bank Vice President for Concessional Finance and Global Partnerships. “As its trustee, the World Bank looks forward to working with all GEF partners to implement the replenishment.”

The 32 donors to the fourth replenishment are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States. Many donors increased their contribution levels to help achieve a GEF-4 replenishment larger than that of the GEF-3, demonstrating an extraordinary showing of financial support to the GEF. The countries that agreed to provide voluntary supplemental contributions are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Subsequently, the GEF Council expressed “…Appreciation to all donors from developed and developing countries for their generous contributions to the GEF-4 replenishment which is the highest level of resources committed to the GEF for a replenishment period. The strong replenishment is recognition of the importance of the GEF as a mechanism to address global environmental issues and will enable the GEF to fulfill its roles as the, or a, financial mechanism to the global environmental agreements.”

The GEF Trust Fund is replenished once every four years.

VI. Update on Resource Allocation Framework

At its June 2006 meeting, the GEF Council requested the Secretariat to (i) strengthen its outreach and communications with the Conventions in order to enhance the understanding of the RAF; (ii) report to the Council issues and challenges raised at the sub-regional consultations; and (iii) continue to monitor the implementation of the RAF and to report to the Council any relevant developments. In addition, the Council also requested the Secretariat and the Implementing and Executing Agencies to assist the national focal points in fulfilling their central role at the national level in implementing the RAF. This brief progress report highlights steps taken by GEF toward implementing the RAF.

Towards strengthening the outreach and communications with the UNFCCC and CBD, the GEF has (i) reported on new developments on the RAF in each of the reports to the climate change and biodiversity conventions; (ii) proactively organized special side events on the RAF at the margins of the COP; (iii) sent delegations to the COP to answer any questions; and (iv) held regular consultations with the Convention Secretariats.

Between April and August 2006 the GEF organized eight sub-regional consultations for GEF Operational and Political Focal Points to introduce and provide guidance to them on the RAF and to obtain feedback from them on the Country Support Program. Interest in these consultations was high with nearly 90% of the recipient countries participating. Recipient countries were most interested in (i) adequacy of consultations prior to and after Council adoption of the RAF; (ii) implication of the RAF in specific types of projects and programs; (iii) modalities for changes to the RAF; (iv) transition to the RAF; and (v) roles and needs of focal points under the RAF.

After the successful completion of the GEF-4 replenishment agreement in August 2006, the GEF Secretariat determined the GEF Benefits Index, the GEF Performance Index and the Initial Allocations of all countries eligible for biodiversity and climate change for GEF-4 in accordance with the Council agreed methodology. They were publicly disclosed on September 2006 in accordance with the public disclosure policy agreed to by Council. A total of 75 countries have sent an initial country priority list as of October 31, 2006 indicating their initial ideas regarding the use of their allocations under the RAF. A preliminary review of these country priority lists identified two issues of concern (i) how the proposals in the list reflect national priorities, GEF strategies, global environmental commitments and (ii) the substantial number of projects proposed to be developed by GEF agencies outside their comparative advantage. In addition, most countries in the group were proposing projects up to the upper limit for countries in the group.

The Secretariat has initiated dialogue with recipient countries starting with those who have sent prioritized lists focused on (i) the priority areas for the use of RAF allocations in GEF-4 and (ii) the share of resources to be allocated to each priority.

VII. New Focal Points/Council Members

Date of Name Country Category Nomination Mr. Tapio Wallenius Finland Council 05/05/2006 Member/Operational Focal Point/Political Focal Point Ms. Irene Davies Australia Council Member 08/02/2006 Mr. Adolfo Rosellini Argentina Council Member 08/02/2006 Council Member/Donor Mr. Thomas Kolly Switzerland Participants 09/01/2006 (Replinishment) Council Russian Mr. Anatoly Totskiy Member/Political Focal 09/07/2006 Federation Point Council Member/Donor Mr. Kazutomi Japan Participants 09/12/2006 Kurihara (Replinishment) Council Member/Operational Mr. Eshagh Alhabib Iran 09/27/2006 Focal Point/Political Focal Point Council Member/Donor Mr. Erik Bjornebye Norway Participants 10/17/2006 (Replinishment) Council Member/Donor Participants Ms. Hélène Canada (SCCF)/Donor 11/01/2006 Corneau Participants (Replinishment) Ambassador Ecuador Council Member 11/14/2006 Gonzalo Salvador

Alternate Mr. Policorpo Mozambique Member/Operational 04/13/2006 Napica Focal Point Alternate Mr. Christopher United Member/Donor 05/23/2006 Whaley Kingdom Participants (Replinishment) Mr. Daniel United Alternate Member 05/25/2006 Reifsnyder States Alternate Dr. Mariano Castro Peru Member/Operational 08/02/2006 Sanchez Moreno Focal Point Alternate Republic of Member/Donor Mr. Kang-ho Park 08/02/2006 Korea Participants (Replinishment) Ms. Ruzanna Armenia Alternate Member 08/17/2006 Davtyan Alternate Ms. Elin Miller Sweden Member/Donor 10/11/2006 Participants (SCCF)/ Donor Participant (Replinishment) Alternate Mr. Geert Aagaard Member/Donor Denmark 10/17/2006 Andersen Participants (Replinishment) Mr. Massoud Iran Alternate Member 11/01/2006 Rezvanian Rahaghi Alternate Member/ Mr. M.S. Khalil Egypt Operational Focal 11/15/2006 Point Ms. Claudia Mordini Italy Alternate Member 11/15/2006

His Excellency Abdulrahman El- Yemen Political Focal Point 04/20/2006 Eryani Mr. Abubakari Tanzania Political Focal Point 04/20/2006 R.M.S. Rajabu His Excellency Kazakhstan Political Focal Point 05/04/2006 Nurlan Iskakov Mr. Yassin Eisa Sudan Political Focal Point 05/04/2006 Mohamed His Excellency Congo Political Focal Point 05/08/2006 Henri Djombo Mr. Rodriguez Equatorial Political Focal Point 05/08/2006 Siosa Vicente Guinea Political Focal Ms. Anita Drondina Latvia Point/Operational 05/19/2006 Focal Point Central Ms. Jacqueline African Political Focal Point 06/01/2006 Madozein Republic Mr. Peerasak Thailand Political Focal Point 06/05/2006 Chantavarin Ms. Amalia Mai Belize Political Focal Point 06/06/2006 Political Focal Point/Donor Ms. Joan Murphy Ireland Participants 06/06/2006 (Replinishment)/Donor Participants (SCCF) Political Focal Mr. David Aniku Botswana Point/Operational 06/07/2006 Focal Point Mrs. Odette Burundi Political Focal Point 06/07/2006 Kayitesi Ms. Ana Luisa Costa Rica Political Focal Point 06/19/2006 Leiva Her Excellency Honduras Political Focal Point 06/19/2006 Mayra Mejia del Cid Dr. Naomi Aretha Malawi Political Focal Point 06/20/2006 Ngwira Her Excellency Lilliam Osejo Nicaragua Political Focal Point 06/22/2006 Sacasa Ms. Hiroko Inaoka Japan Political Focal Point 07/12/2006 His Excellency Ali'ioiga Feturi Samoa Political Focal Point 07/18/2006 Elisaia His Excellency Jean-Marie Haiti Political Focal Point 07/18/2006 Germain Mr. Luis Hernando Bolivia Political Focal Point 07/18/2006 Larrazabal Cordova New Ms. Christine Bogle Political Focal Point 07/19/2006 Zealand Dr. Chris B. Squire Sierra Leone Political Focal Point 07/24/2006 Mr. Conmany Liberia Political Focal Point 08/09/2006 Wesseh His Excellency Solomon Political Focal Point 09/05/2006 Patterson Oti Islands Mr. Manuel Ernesto Peru Political Focal Point 09/13/2006 Bernales Alvarado Mr. Vidyadhar Nepal Political Focal Point 09/13/2006 Mallik Mr. Sidi El Moctar Mauritania Political Focal Point 09/27/2006 Cheiguer Mr. Russell Mulele Zambia Political Focal Point 10/10/2006 His Excellency Jamaica Political Focal Point 10/12/2006 Raymond Wolfe Mr. Minute Taupo Tuvalu Political Focal Point 10/23/2006 Mr. Tebwe Ietaake Kiribati Political Focal Point 10/30/2006 Mr. Miroslaw Poland Political Focal Point 10/30/2006 Luczka

Operational Focal Dr. A.M. Mwinzi Kenya Point/Political Focal 04/05/2006 Point Mr. Appolinaire Dah Operational Focal Benin 04/10/2006 Dossounon Point Mr. Arstanbek Kyrgyz Operational Focal 04/12/2006 Davletkeldiev Republic Point Dr. Saadeldin Operational Focal Sudan 04/17/2006 Izzeldin Point Operational Focal Ms. Nino Tkhilava Georgia 04/20/2006 Point Mr. Roberto Operational Focal Uruguay 04/24/2006 Elissalde Point Operational Focal Mr. Ismael Fabro Belize 04/26/2006 Point Mr. Altangerel Operational Focal Mongolia 04/27/2006 Enkhbat Point Operational Focal Mr. Maciej Nowicki Poland 05/04/2006 Point Dr. Rose Operational Focal Rwanda 05/08/2006 Mukankomeje Point Operational Focal Mr. Alzhan Braliev Kazakhstan 06/07/2006 Point Operational Focal Mr. Joe Mosima South Africa 06/07/2006 Point Ms. Carolina Operational Focal Honduras 06/19/2006 Bocanegra Lagos Point Operational Focal Mr. Ronald Vargas Costa Rica 06/19/2006 Point Mr. Saul Operational Focal Nicaragua 06/22/2006 Matamoros Solis Point Operational Focal Ms. Claudia Bellot Dominica 07/18/2006 Point Mr. Omar Ramirez Dominican Operational Focal 07/18/2006 Tejada Republic Point Ms. Shirley Skerritt- St. Kitts And Operational Focal 07/18/2006 Andrew Nevis Point Mr. John Delfin Operational Focal Bolivia 07/18/2006 Vargas Vega Point Operational Focal Mr. Aleksandr Point/Political Focal Belarus 07/27/2006 Apatsky Point/Donor Participants (SCCF) Mr. Purusram Operational Focal Mauritius 07/27/2006 Ujoodha Point Dr. Saleh Al- Operational Focal Jordan 08/16/2006 Kharabsheh Point Operational Focal Mr. Daniel Brisard Haiti 08/17/2006 Point Operational Focal Mr. Enate Evi Tuvalu 08/17/2006 Point Russian Operational Focal Mr. Igor Maidanov 08/17/2006 Federation Point Solomon Operational Focal Mrs. Jane Waetara 09/05/2006 Islands Point Bosnia- Operational Focal Mr. Senad Oprasic 09/12/2006 Herzegovina Point His Excellency Operational Focal Afghanistan 10/05/2006 Mostapha Zaher Point Slovak Operational Focal Mr. Roderik Klinda 10/12/2006 Republic Point Dr. Tu'u'u Ieti Operational Focal Samoa 10/17/2006 Taule'alo Point Mr. Ben Turtur Operational Focal Liberia 10/30/2006 Donnie Point Mr. João Raimundo Guinea- Operational Focal 11/08/2006 Lopes Bissau Point

VIII. Announcements Meet Mehrunissa Bashir

Mehrunissa has joined the GEF Secretariat as an Operations Officer in the Corporate Team.

Since joining the World Bank in 1999, she has worked as an Advisor to the Executive Director for Algeria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Ghana, Pakistan and Tunisia at the Board. In this capacity she advised on economic, human development, environment and sustainable development policies as well as GEF Council related issues. Since then she has held several positions at the Bank. She was the Special Assistant to the Managing Director for Human Development and Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Networks and coordinator for the Country Management Network (Operational Policy and Country Services (OPCS) network) which provides policy support to the Country Directors, Country Program Coordinators and Country Managers.

Mehrunnisa's operational field assignments have included Timor Leste, Pakistan, and Iraq. Mehrunnisa has a master's degree in International Relations from Villanova University.

Mehrunnisa will be working on country relations, with a focus on strengthening relations with the GEF Council and Focal Points. She will also manage the Council Member and Country Support Programs.

Meet Ibrahima Sow

Ibrahima Sow has recently joined the GEF Secretariat as an environmental specialist in the Climate Change and Chemicals Team, to strengthen the work on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Ibrahima, a chemical engineer, is the former director of the Basel Regional Center for francophone Africa, and comes to the GEF Secretariat with 20 years of experience gained in the Senegalese Ministry of Environment, as well as the Secretariat of the Basel Convention in Geneva and as a Senior Special Fellow for UNITAR.

He has been an active participant in the international negotiations leading to the adoption and implementation of the chemicals and waste conventions and agreements, including the Stockholm and Basel conventions.

IX. Obituary: Mario A. Ramos (1949-2006)

As many readers of “Talking Points” will have heard, our good colleague and friend, Mario A. Ramos, passed away on September 11, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Maria Isabel, his children, Mariano, Aurora and Ameyali, and his mother, Aurora Olmos de Ramos. At the time of his death, he held the position of Senior Environment Specialist and Acting Team Leader, Biodiversity, in the Global Environment Facility. Mario was born in Mexico in 1949. He held a Master’s in Zoology from the University of Minnesota, and was the first Mexican national to hold a doctorate in Ornithology. In Mexico, Mario held a variety of prestigious positions including Head of the Ornithology Program at the National Institute of Investigations of Biotic Resources and Director of the Faunistic Studies Program. He was a founder and President of the Mexican Neotropial Ornithological Society. Prior to joining the World Bank in 1991, he was a Senior Program Officer at the World Wildlife Fund in Washington, DC. Mario brought passion, energy and caring to all his endeavors and will be remembered for his knowledge and dedication to biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. Tributes have poured in from far and wide, from the farthest reaches of the GEF network, praising Mario’s commitment to the ideals of the GEF and his multifaceted contributions to the cause of biodiversity conservation worldwide.