Roles of UNEP, GEF & CBD in the Environment 2 nd Training Workshop for BCH Regional Advisors

1. Roles of UNEP, GEF & CBD in the Environment 2nd Training Workshop for BCH Regional Advisors May 2006 Bangkok, Thailand

2. UNEP’s Role in the Environment • UNEP was established in 1972 as the voice for the Environment within the United Nations system. • UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. • UNEP works with a wide range of partners: UN organizations, IGOs, governments, NGOs, private sector and civil society.

3. UNEP’s Mission • To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

4. What does UNEP do for the Environment? • UNEP is responsible for the following actions: • Assess global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends • Develop international and national environmental instruments • Strengthen institutions for the wise management of the environment • Facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology for sustainable development • Encourage new partnerships and mind-sets within civil society and the private sector.

5. Where is UNEP working in the Environment? • UNEP is based in Africa to gives better understanding of developing countries environmental issues; • UNEP has 6 regional and 4 national offices; • UNEP also hosts several Environmental Convention Secretariats including CITES, the Convention on Migratory Species, Ozone Secretariat, Montreal Protocol, a number of chemicals agreements, Basel Convention, Rotterdam Convention and Stockholm Convention on POPs and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

6. What is the Convention of Biological Diversity? • The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit; • The CBD is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and was conceived as a practical tool for translating the principles of Agenda 21 into reality; • The CBD recognizes that biological diversity is about more than plants, animals,micro organisms and their ecosystems – it is also about people and our need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment to live in.

7. What are the goals of the CBD? Conservation of biodiversity; Sustainable use of the components of biodiversity; and Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

8. Convention on Biological Diversity • Adopted under auspices of UNEP (1992, Rio); • First global treaty to provide a comprehensive framework that addresses all aspects of biodiversity; • 188 ‘Parties’ to date.

9. What is the Role of the Secretariat of Convention of Biological Diversity? Article 24 of CBD : “A Secretariat is hereby established. Its functions shall be: (a) To arrange for and service meetings of the Conference of the Parties provided for in Article 23; (b) To perform the functions assigned to it by any Protocol; (c) To prepare reports on the execution of its functions under this Convention and present them to the Conference of the Parties; (d) To coordinate with other relevant international bodies and, in particular to enter into such administrative and contractual arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of its functions; and (e) To perform such other functions as may be determined by the Conference of the Parties…………“

10. The Role of the CBD Secretariat in the Cartagena Protocol Article 31 of Protocol says: 1. “The Secretariat established by Article 24 of the Convention shall serve as the Secretariat to this Protocol. 2. Article 24, paragraph 1, of the Convention on the functions of the Secretariat shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Protocol. 3. To the extent that they are distinct, the costs of the secretariat services for this Protocol shall be met by the Parties hereto. The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol shall, at its first meeting, decide on the necessary budgetary arrangements to this end.”

11. What is the Global Environment Facility? (GEF) • GEF is an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries for projects that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities ; • GEF funds are contributed by donor countries.In 2002, 32 donor countries pledged $3 billion to fund operations between 2002 and 2006; • The GEF was established in 1991 and has provided $4.5 billion in grants and generated $14.5 billion in co-financing from other partners for projects in developing countries; • GEF projects are managed by 3 Implementing Agencies, United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank

12. What is the link between CBD and GEF? • CBD (art. 29) established GEF as the financial mechanism of the Convention; • 1994: decision taken in COP 2 of the CBD to develop a Protocol for Safety in Biotechnology; • 1995: UNEP experts led this Intergovernmental process and held regional consultations to develop agreed guidelines in the interim called the “UNEP Technical Guidelines for Safety in Biotechnology”; • 1996: COP 3 of the CBD - requested the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to provide resources to developing countries for capacity-building in biosafety.

13. What is the link between Biosafety and GEF? • 1997: The 10th GEF Council approved the Pilot Biosafety Enabling Activity project developed by UNEP (18 countries); • January 2000: The Cartagena Protocol was adopted in Montreal; • November 2000: 16th GEF Council approved Initial Strategy for assisting countries under Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety; • November 2000, UNEP-GEF Project on Development of National Biosafety Frameworks approved (100 countries); • December 2002: UNEP-GEF Projects on Implementation of National Biosafety Frameworks started in 8 countries; • November 2003: GEF Council approved the UNEP-GEF project to assist countries in use and access to BCH.

14. What does the UNEP-GEF Biosafety Unit do? • is responsible to GEF Division of UNEP for capacity building projects; • is responsible to GEF for the projects;coordinates its work with CBD and ensures that countries are fully supported; • is also responsible for coordinating with GEF agencies and other organizations building capacity in Biosafety; • is part of Liaison Group under Coordination mechanism of CBD and meets regularly with partners; and • reports to UNEP and GEF and helps to build capacity in developing countries.

15. ANY QUESTIONS ?

16. Specific areas of training for ensuring a sustainable use of the the BCH • Training on CP Obligations related to the BCH; • Training on using the BCH; • Training on entering data in the BCH (including different options available); • Training on setting up a national BCH based on the option chosen; • Training on how to make the public aware and involved in the BCH.