1. GEF Governance and Institutional Structure
Go over the Agenda and some of the ground rules
Tell them about Evaluation Forms (Anonymous)
Reiterate the objectives of the Workshop
Follow-on Workshop in Delhi

2. Global Environment Facility
Financial Mechanism of the Biodiversity and the Climate Change Conventions
New and Additional Funding
to meet Incremental Costs
of activities to protect the global environment and support sustainable development
What is the GEF? (A funding Agency)
The second statement comes closest to describing GEF’s Mission
Three pillars of the GEF; two of them are based on counter-factuals.

3. Pilot Program Established in 1991
Principles of pilot program still valid today
Blend of Bretton Woods and UN institutions
No new institutions - draw on comparative advantage of existing bodies
Initiative of France and Germany
To preempt LDC demand for a Green Fund that would be controlled by LDCs (Rajiv Gandhi’s call for a Planet Protection Fund).
The demand for no new institutions (cf. No new taxes) has led to an inordinately complicated institutional structure, as we shall soon see.

4. From Pilot Phase to Permanent Mechanism
Negotiations of the conventions - called for appropriate restructuring and its membership to be made universal
GEF now has almost 170 members.

5. Restructuring Negotiations began in 1993 and ended in March 1994
Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured GEF
First replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund for $2 billion
Second replenishment concluded in March $2.75 billion
Restructuring led to the complex structure we have today.
Tension is possible between each of the nodes, everyone has slightly different interests.
A wonder that it has worked thus far. If tension is avoided, it is because of exceptional persons.

6. Structure Assembly Council GEF Units GEF Secretariat Trustee STAP UNDP
UNEP
World Bank
This slide does not show the CoPs, NGOs, etc. show transparency.

7. Council 32 Members representing constituencies of country Participants
Main governing body of GEF
Meets twice a year
Approves four work programs a year
Double veto system in the Council
Enormous time spent debating voting rules. Voting is assiduously avoided. The mere fact that there is a voting procedure prevents countries from taking extreme positions. US cannot block projects to North Korea or Cuba or Iran. (Iraq has not joined.)

8. Assembly Representative of all participating states
Reviews policies and operations of the GEF
Power to amend Instrument on basis of Council recommendation
First Assembly held in New Delhi, in April 1998
Close to 168 members, if not more.
Only the Assembly can change the Instrument, which is the Constitution of the GEF.

9. Secretariat Headed by CEO/Chairman of GEF Located in Washington, D.C.
Responsible for servicing Council and Assembly
Ensuring effective implementation of decisions of Council and Assembly
Coordinating work of the Implementing Agencies
30-40 people.

10. Implementing Agencies
Comprising UNDP, UNEP, and World Bank
Responsible for operational work of GEF
Accountable to the Council for their project activities

11. GEF Implementing Agencies: GEF Implementing Agencies
UNEP: global/ regional and trans-boundary projects, support STAP
UNDP: technical assistance / capacity building projects
World Bank: investment projects
GEF Implementing Agencies
The operational arm of the GEF revolves around a close partnership with the three Implementing Agencies: UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank,. The Implementing Agencies work closely with project proponents to help them develop projects from the idea stage to the point where they have a good chance of receiving approval from the GEF Council. Thereafter, they assist with project implementation, particularly regarding monitoring and evaluation of results.
Each agency applies its special expertise for helping project proponents build and implement GEF projects. UNDP specializes in technical assistance, especially for projects that develop human and institutional capacities, and it manages the Small Grants programme; UNEP specializes in environmental assessments, gap analysis, and projects that generate knowledge that can help further environmental management interventions; projects that develop and /or test tools and methods for furthering environmental management or that demonstrate a particular approach; projects that entail management of transboundary ecosystems; and providing secretariat support to STAP. The World Bank specializes in investment projects. Some projects are implemented by more than one Agency.

12. STAP Advisory body to the GEF UNEP provides secretariat to STAP
Mandate, composition and role of STAP approved by the Council
Chair of STAP reports to each Council meeting
We’ll hear Professor Gadgil next.

13. Conventions Role of COP and GEF Council Memorandum of Understanding
Eligibility criteria
Guidance on policies, program priorities and strategies
GEF Council meetings and the Assembly were kind of lovefests. Most of the criticism of GEF is aired in the COPs. COPs influence GEF through the Council

14. JOURNEY SO FAR Pilot Phase 1991 Restructuring 1994 Project Cycle 1995
Operational Strategy 1995
Operational Programs 1996
Policies -- Incremental cost, public involvement, private sector, expanded opportunities for RDBs, etc.
Council Policies, most written in impenetrable language, Hence the need for this Workshop.

15. GEF Awareness Workshop
Closing
Thank You, Will be happy to take any questions.