Seychelles Country Presentation on: Integrating the GEF in Environment and Sustainable Development Plans and Policies May 2007 On behalf of the Political and Operational Focal Points

Introduction: 1. Seychelles’ national context  Process and key players involved 2. Constraints and Challenges  Lessons Learnt and innovative solutions 3. Conclusion and Recommendations:  How will we tackle our future endeavours?

……4 Degrees South of the Equator, 115 islands, 47% of land mass under protective status, square kilometres of Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ), 2 World heritage Sites, Coco-De-mer, numerous endemics…..

2. Seychelles Context: Environmental concerns are embedded in the Constitution:- Article 38 “….every person to live in and enjoy a clean, healthy and ecologically balanced environment….”) Environmental Management Plans of Seychelles:- 2 generations and primary mechanism for environmental management International Conventions Unit closely coordinates with GEF OFP:- implementation of the Country Support Programme (MOU), Progress

Environmental Management Plan Multi-cross-sectoral stakeholder steering committee with some 40 members who meet every month. Chaired by the GEF OFP with the assistance of a coordination unit. Discussions were had on the RAF and recommendations made for national priority listing. EMPS oversees all GEF project implementation (6) GEF Presentations made in September 2006 (after the GEF 3 Assembly), in January and March 2007.

3. Constraints and lessons learnt As a SIDS; various capacity constraints…such identified in GEF NCSA (May 2005); ….”Lessons Learned” from earlier environmental projects in Seychelles have shown that it is crucial to have a strong project coordination mechanism….” Proposal to have a GEF Programme Coordination Unit (FSP)  Under the FSP ‘mainstreaming biodiversity’  4 programmes: 6 GEF UNDP projects to be coordinated centrally  Main Project Steering Committee, guided by EMPS Steering Committee Unable to access the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) has put the NGO community at a disadvantage

Biodiversity conservation in the face of development pressures….first of its kind for SIDS The project will: a) create enabling conditions for mainstreaming biodiversity management into cross- sectoral planning; b) b) develop methods and means for integrating biodiversity into artisanal fisheries management, and; c) c) make biodiversity conservation a routine part of operations in the tourism sector Further information and access to all project documents are available on “Mainstreaming biodiversity management into production sector activities”

Way forward…..  Establish Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) for FSP;  Establishment of the SGP nationally (or similar set up);  Continue the implementation of MOU CSP workplan  Host National Dialogue initiative (NDI) June 2007  With an effective PCU, provide a more coordinated management to implement and develop future GEF projects……  Share our experiences  Strive to refine and ameliorate national processes to better secure international funds

Thank you…Asante….Mersi Bokou