1. The Project Overview, Objectives, Components and Targeted Outcomes Inception Workshop and the First Steering Committee Meeting of the UNEP/GEF Project “Piloting Integrated Processes and Approaches to Facilitate National Reporting to Rio Conventions” ( FNR_Rio ) 9-11 February 2010, UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, UK Asghar M. FAZEL Global Project Coordinator

2. Project Details  Project Title: Piloting Integrated Processes and Approaches To Facilitate National Reporting to Rio Conventions  Project Short Title: FNR_Rio  Pilot Countries: Afghanistan, Eritrea, Lao PDR, Liberia, Mauritius, Palau  GEF Agency: UNEP/DGEF  International Executing Agency: UNEP-WCMC  GEF Approval date: September 2009  Implementation Start: 1 January 2010  Project Global Launching: 9 February 2010  Project Closing Date: 31 December 2012

3. Project Budget (US$):  840,000GEF  700,880In-kind Co-financing by six countries  50,000Cash Co-financing by Eritrea  50,000In-kind Co-financing by UNEP  $1,640,880 TOTAL

4. Project Objectives The overall objective (goal) of the project is to pilot nationally-driven integrated processes and approaches to reporting to the three Rio Conventions (CBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC).

5. Project Components Component 1: Situational analysis and reporting process design: to find out common reporting elements in terms of process, content and format among the three Conventions with the possibility of exploring benefits to other closely related Conventions building on the “clustering” approach developed by UNEP.

6. Project Components Component 2: Implementation of integrated reporting processes and experimenting options for report design: to design a nationally-driven integrated and coordinated process for integrated reporting without compromising either guidance from the Conventions COPs on content and format, or quality of reports submitted, and to establish and/or enhance existing national convention-related data and information management systems with the objective of making these systems more integrated, cost-efficient and allowing for more cooperative institutional mechanisms to be established and sustained.

7. Project Components Component 3: Sharing of experience and upscaling: to explore upscaling to other countries of integrated reporting processes through sharing of lessons learned and good practices.

8. Component 4 (admin)  M&E (see Appendix 7)  Secretariat set-up  formation of 6 National teams  Recruitment of 6 NCs and 6NPAs  Recruitment of IC  Financial planning and management  Drafting and submitting workplans and reports  Organising meetings, workshops and side events  Travels/missions  website (maintenance and updating ) 8

9. Project Components

10. Component 1: Expected Outcomes  improved cost-effectiveness achieved for reporting to Rio Conventions  Linkages and synergies for reporting to the Rio Conventions at national level identified and strengthened  Duplication in reporting processes identified and eliminated

11. Component 1: Outputs  Output 1.1: Inventory and analysis report of convention reporting requirements in terms of institutional arrangement, linkages, content and format is prepared. (e.g. TEMATEA)  Output 1.2: Analysis report of existing data and information management systems at the country level with recommendations for designing more integrated systems is prepared. (e.g. CHM and Conservation Commons)  Output 1.3: Manual on implementation of Integrated Reporting approach is produced. (national level)

12. Component 2: Expected Outcomes  Enhanced country capacities to identify cross- convention programmes and projects for cost- effective financing and MEA implementation  A more cooperative environment for information sharing among national institutions involved in convention implementation

13. Component 2: Outputs  Output 2.1: Institutional frameworks for integrated reporting to Conventions is established and/or strengthened. (in collaboration with research centres and NGOs)  Output 2.2: National convention-related data collection, analysis and information management systems with agreed standardized collection and analysis procedures are established or Enhanced. (e.g. National CHM)  Output 2.3: Capacities (systemic, institutional and individual) of relevant institutions for data collection, analysis and information management through provision of necessary training and computing equipment are enhanced. (CEPA strategy)  Output 2.4: Assessment report of the quality of national reports is prepared. (QC at the national level)

14. Component 3: Expected Outcome  Better informed policy decision-making at the national and global level, supporting efficient and integrated reporting to Rio Conventions

15. Component 3: Outputs  Output 3.1: Technical Working Group (TWG) on Integrated Reporting from countries participating in the project established for information and experience sharing is established and met. 1. to discuss design issues in the inception phase (1 st TWG meeting), 2. to assess lessons learned and elaborate the Manual on Integrated Reporting (2 nd TWG meeting); 3. to improve the integrated reporting processes and results and also sharing experiences and lessons learned including finalizing the National Manuals at the end of the current project life (3 rd TWG meeting).  Output 3.2: International events on lesson learned and best practices for integrated reporting organized are held. (e.g. Side events)

16. Key Activities: Years 1&2  National Inception workshop,  National workshop on results of studies 1 (national assessments) and 2 (data and information collection, analysis and management)  First and second Technical Working Group meetings,  Review of national legislation, policies, plans and financing mechanisms, and development and promotion of alternative options.  Data collection in support of reporting mechanisms, and filling of gaps.  Provision of necessary computing equipment to national governments.  Development and enhancement of intersectoral networks at the national level.  Analysis of the current reporting requirements and formats of the three Rio Conventions

17. Key Activities: Year 3  Dissemination of information and results of project activities (more side events)  Producing the National Integrated Reporting Manual.  Confirmation of information management systems in the six countries to ensure the sustainability of project actions.  Continued training and supporting of related networks.  Compiling the lessons learned.  International dialogue on lessons learned and the exploration of scaling up opportunities of the approach.

18. Replication  to provide experience that is relevant for other LDCs and SIDS for addressing the reporting burden.  to develop models for integrated reporting to MEAs that could be used by other countries with similar challenges to national reporting.  to link activities with other relevant ongoing project- based or national development activities to ensure that project activities are appropriate, relevant and replicable.

19. Communication and Mainstreaming  A comprehensive CEPA needs assessment will be conducted of project implementation to define these needs  The needs assessment will be led by the National Project Coordinators (NPCs) and conducted by consultants at national (with additional consultation with the government agencies, NGOs, private sector and other main stakeholders for each pilot country )  international awareness activities will target current and potential donors,

20. Training/Education Strategy  Training and education for different levels of professional staff and stakeholders form an integral part of the GEF project strategy. The analysis of problems and needs conducted during the PPG  The GEF project will support national training within the available resources and partnership development

21. Suggested/indicative Training Activities T YPE OF T RAINING T RAINING N EED C ONTENTS T ARGETED T RAINEES E XPECTED A CHIEVEMENTS National Training WorkshopComputer and InternetWord processing; database software; basic GIS software; basic Internet knowledge NEAs’ scientific research staff Develop skills to operate relevant software and Internet National Training WorkshopInter-agency cooperationHow to solve the issues of shared information resources; how to deal with problems related to joint management and jurisdiction National Focal Points, MSP team To recognize experience and apply lessons National training workshopData and information management for national reporting Methods for handling and organising reporting-relevant data and information. Tematea modules for coherent MEA implementation National Focal Points, MSP team Improved capacity to assemble data and information for national reports Other Training/ WorkshopGEF project managementHow to manage projects to GEF requirements, incl. financial and technical reporting and to improve experience and skills through exchange with international organizations as well as fund raising expertise MSP teamTo understand GEF project management and financial requirements and to improve organizational ability for GEF project management and follow-up

22. Key Questions  Changes in circumstances since ProDoc development?  Other considerations that have become apparent?  Verification of the need for any changes? Expected results Outputs Activities Timeline Budget Risk mitigation measures

23. Thank You Inception Workshop and the First Steering Committee Meeting of the UNEP/GEF Project “Piloting Integrated Processes and Approaches to Facilitate National Reporting to Rio Conventions” ( FNR_Rio ) 9-11 February 2010, UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, UK asghar.fazel@unep-wcmc.org