1. Piloting Integrated Processes and Approaches To Facilitate National Reporting to Rio Conventions – a GEF/UNEP project CBD SBSTTA 14 May 2010, Nairobi, Kenya Asghar M. Fazel (Global Project Coordinator ) & Peter Herkenrath (International Consultant)

2. Project Details  Title: Piloting Integrated Processes and Approaches To Facilitate National Reporting to Rio Conventions  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  Global Launching: 9 February 2010  Closing Date: 31 December 2012  Budget: US$1,6 million

3. Project Components Component 1: Situational analysis and reporting process design Component 2: Implementation of integrated reporting processes and experimenting options for report design Component 3: Sharing of experience

4. Component 1: Situational analysis and reporting process design Identify common reporting elements in terms of process, content and format among the three Conventions >>> exploring benefits to other closely related Conventions

5. 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

6. Component 1: Outputs  Inventory and analysis report of convention reporting requirements in terms of institutional arrangement, linkages, content and format; feasibility study on a joint reporting format for LDCs and SIDS  Analysis report of existing data and information management systems at the country level with recommendations for designing more integrated systems  Manual on implementation of Integrated Reporting

7. Component 2: Implementation of integrated reporting processes and experimenting options for report design  Design a nationally-driven integrated and coordinated process for integrated reporting (without compromising COP guidance )  Establish /enhance national data and information management systems: Make these systems more integrated, cost-efficient and allowing for more cooperative institutional mechanisms

8. 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

9. Component 2: Outputs  Institutional frameworks for integrated reporting to Conventions established and/or strengthened  National convention-related data collection, analysis and information management systems with agreed standardized collection and analysis procedures are established or enhanced  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  Assessment report of the quality of national reports is prepared

10. Component 3: Sharing of experience Explore upscaling to other countries of integrated reporting processes through sharing of lessons learned and good practices

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

12. Component 3: Outputs  Technical Working Group on Integrated Reporting in pilot countries established for information and experience sharing  International events on lesson learned and best practices for integrated reporting organized

13. Key Activities: Years 1&2  Global project Steering Committee meeting  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  Feasibility study for a joint reporting format for the Rio Conventions

14. Key Activities: Year 3  Dissemination of information and results of project activities  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.

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

16. Training/Education Strategy  Training and education for different levels of professional staff and stakeholders: an integral part of the GEF project strategy  Training will address: Computer & Internet Interagency cooperation Data & information management GEF project management

17. Progress as of May 2010  Global Inception workshop (Feb 2010)  Steering Committee meeting (Feb 2010)  Appointment of National Project Coordinators  National teams established  National Consultants appointed  Global situational analysis (1 st draft)  Website set up

18. http://www.fnrrio.net/http://www.fnrrio.net/; http://rioconventionsreporting.net http://rioconventionsreporting.net