1. Integrated Natural Resources Management and the GEF - Reconciling global environmental values and sustainable development Multi-Focal Area Task Force Meeting Washington, November 15th 2004

2. Target 9, Goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals “Ensure Environmental Sustainability ” “Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources.” The indicators linked to this target refer to: Forest cover and biodiversity Sustainable energy Water

3. WSSD Plan of Implementation Managing natural resources in an integrated Manner is essential for sustainable development In Johannesburg, international consensus was reached around the two basic approaches that should organize the global effort towards environmentally sustainable development: Integrated management of natural resources, including energy; Enhancement of cooperation and synergies, with emphasis on the regional level.

4.  Combat desertification and mitigate the effects of extreme climatic events through land and natural resources management; Improve access to reliable, affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound energy Develop integrated water resources management and water efficiency plans by 2005; Develop and implement national/regional strategies, with regard to integrated river basin and groundwater management; Develop programs for mitigating the effects of extreme water-related events, and implement an integrated multi-hazard, inclusive approach Develop and implement integrated land management and water-use plans that are based on sustainable use of renewable resources and on integrated assessments of socio-economic and environmental potentials; Encourage the UNFCCC, the CBD and the CCD to continue exploring and enhancing synergies

5. One specific reference: “utilize…the GEF..to provide financial resources to developing countries, in particular to LDCs and SIDS, to meet their needs in … reliable, affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound energy.” The GEF is identified as a key institution by WSSD to experiment and demonstrate ways to translate these principles and approaches into on the ground practices

6. A compelling rationale for the need of a GEF response to the call for integration: The clear and coherent message deriving from MDGs and WSSD The GEF Operational Strategy that recognizes the need for integrating water, land use and biodiversity, and adopts the ecosystem approach The size of the GEF portfolio - risks of overlaps and antagonistic linkages in many geographic areas The addition of the Land Degradation focal area The new focus on climate change adaptation The recommendations of STAP on interlinkages and groundwater

7. So far, the integration and joining of forces among GEF focal areas has not occurred spontaneously Major internal obstacles add to well known external constraints: The operational structure, organized in GEFSEC and IAs, around focal areas (OPs, Task Forces, etc.) Lack of coordination in Strategic Priorities, lack of an overall strategic priority The focal area nominal allocation of resources The organizational structure by focal area teams

8. A possible way ahead towards integration intended as the joining of forces across focal areas towards a common objective The concrete steps that GEF can undertake in the short term will have (i)to be of an experimental/demonstration nature, and (i)build upon existing opportunities.

9. Integration requires a clear geographical context, i.e.: a system with defined boundaries. This system may vary according to the “entry point”: Water: a river/lake/aquifer basin, or a large marine ecosystem Land degradation: a productive landscape? Biodiversity: a higher level ecosystem? Climate change, a region sharing a common sustainable energy resource, or a country as a whole? Given its overarching nature, climate adaptation measures and considerations may have to be introduced in each of the four above contexts. A clear Geographical Context

10. Every integrated program of interventions will be aimed at achieving a principal objective, whose nature will depend upon the “entry point” and whose goal, in line with the MDGs and the WSSD Plan of Implementation, will be the fostering of environmentally sustainable development. In doing so, global benefits will be accrued in a cluster of focal areas, or even in all of them. A tentative/preliminary Operational Program indication will correspond to the Principal Objective. A Principal Objective

11. A Diagnostic Analysis The design of an integrated project or program will require a sufficient level of understanding of the region, of the problems and their root causes, of the possible solutions and actions. Hence, integrated action can only be undertaken when a Diagnostic Analysis based on solid science and around which the consensus at the inter-ministerial level in the country (ies) has been reached, is available

12. On the ground integration can be experimented more effectively when the stage of the implementation of stress reduction/mitigation measures has been reached, and the enabling environment is in place. An enabling environment for stress reduction These four pre-requisites may provide the criteria for identifying and selecting the opportunities for integration where action can be taken in the short term.

13. Breaking focal area barriers: Possible actions Merging of resources Increase in PDF-B funds for the design of integrated projects and multi-project programs Incentives (fee premiums?) to encourage our agencies to engage in integrated programs Adoption of a new set of overall “GEF strategic priorities”, which would privilege integration Creation of new multi-focal operational programs ( Integrated Natural Resources Management in Hydrographic Basins, or “Energy for Environmentally Sustainable Development in LDCs and SIDS ) systematic dialogue among focal areas in the Secretariat and Task Forces and strengthening of Task Forces

14. The new challenge in the IW focal area: Catalyzing an Integrated Response to Strategic Action Programs LAND WATER BIODIVERSITY CLIMATE CONTAMINANTS

15. EXAMPLE OF A POSSIBLE INTEGRATED APPROACH THE CASPIAN SEA BASIN The Challenge: Sustainable Integrated Management of the Caspian Environment

16. Russian Federation Azerbaijan Kazakhstan Turkmenistan Iran

17. As a result of a first IW - GEF project, the riparian countries have agreed on a Strategic Action Programme and on a binding environmental Caspian Convention

18. Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis A science based TDA has guided in defining targets, strategies, priorities Strategic Action Programme The SAP for the Caspian Basin has been adopted by the littoral countries. It is a commitment to action. National Caspian Action Plans Actions identified in the SAP are being translated into national commitments

19. Priority regional environmental concerns identified by the TDA and addressed by the SAP: Over-exploitation of bio-resources Threats to biodiversity Water pollution Unsustainable coastal area development

20. Objective 1 Conservation and Sustainable Use of Bioresources Target 1: Sustainable Commercial Fisheries Target 2: Rehabilitate Stocks of Sturgeon, Herring Target 3: Reduce dependency of coastal communities Promote regional agreement Introduce Quota System Strengthen Compliance, enforcement and monitoring Reduce Illegal Trade Protect and manage natural spawning grounds Improve hatchery efficiency Creation of a gene bank for anadromous fish stocks Promote small scale aquaculture Promote alternative livelihoods (pilot projects)

21. Objective 2 Conservation of Biodiversity Target 1: Increased Regional Collaboration Target 2: Key species maintained/restored to viable levels Target 3: Control of alien species Target 4: Implementation of regional system for protection of marine and coastal habitats Target 5: Restored priority coastal habitats Target 6: Restored priority marine habitats (five demos)

22. Objective 3 Improve the Water Quality Target 1: Strengthen enforcement and management Target 2: Implement regional water quality monitoring Target 3: Adopt Protocols on LBA, Hazardous substances and Dumping - Implement regional strategies for pollution reduction Target 4: Implement POPs stockpiles disposal and land decontamination plans Target 5: Promote env. sound agricultural practices Target 6: Disaster prevention response (oil spills)

23. Objective 4: Sustainable Development Of Coastal Zones Target 1: Introduction of ICZM (five demos) Target 2: Combat Desertification and Deforestation Process Reverse land degradation in priority areas (demos) Introduce renewable energy alternatives to fuel-wood Introduce sustainable grazing practices

24. By joining forces in SAP Implementation, the GEF Focal Areas (IW, Biodiversity, POPs, Land Degradation, Climate Change) can assist the Caspian countries to respond to the challenge of integrated natural resources management in the Caspian Basin POPs: Stockpiles Disposal, Decontamination of sites IW: Coastal management, Fisheries, pollution reduction Biodiversity: Protected areas, control of alien species, habitat restoration Climate Change: Rural electrification - RETs as alternatives to fuel-wood Land Degradation: Sustainable grazing, Soil Conservation demos

25. Conservation of Wetland Biodiversity in the Lower Volga Region Integrated Conservation of Priority Globally Significant Migratory Bird Wetland Habitat - Kazakhstan Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Kura Aras Basin Management GEF Projects under implementation or preparation with relevance for the Caspian Basin Lack of integration

26. Strategic Partnership Investment Fund Investment projects, demonstrations Regional Project Reforms, capacity building Replication mechanisms Projects

27. New Strategic Partnerships have entered the GEF Pipeline: Others are being identified and designed: The Sustainable Fisheries Fund for Sub-Saharan Africa LMEs (World Bank - FAO – WWF With UNDP and UNEP) The Pollution Reduction Fund for the East Asian LMEs (World Bank with UNDP - IMO) The Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea LME (World Bank - UNEP)