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Nadzri Yahaya, PhD, Deputy Undersecretary Conservation and Environmental Management Division Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia. Developing National GEF Strategies and Priority Setting.
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Nadzri Yahaya, PhD, Deputy Undersecretary Conservation and Environmental Management Division Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia Developing National GEF Strategies and Priority Setting GEF Country Support Program Sub-Regional Workshop for GEF Focal Points East and South East Asia Bangkok, Thailand 2-3 April 2007 Conservation and Environmental Management Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia
INTRODUCTION • GEF project proposals to be in line with Malaysia’s National Development goals • 9th Malaysia Plan: 2006-2010. Environmental stewardship promoted to ensure balance between development needs and the environment is maintained. • Emphasis will be accorded to studies and measures needed to facilitate action by Malaysia to meet its commitments to multilateral environmental agreements • Greater focus will be placed on preventive measures to mitigate negative environmental effects at source, intensifying conservation efforts and sustainably managing natural resources • MOSTE – GEF OFP SINCE 1995 • NRE (GEF OFP) - formed in 2004 consolidating the administration of 10 environment and natural resources agencies to facilitate a coordinated and comprehensive approach in managing environment and natural resources.
CONSTRAINTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT • Lack of environmental data and indicators to monitor the environmental planning and management efforts, • Federal versus States’ government jurisdiction over environment and natural resources • Mainstreaming environmental management • Issues and problems become more complex: global and transboundary
BACKGROUND GEF PROJECTS • GEF 3 – 8 projects: 2 EA, 6 FSP. Total: 30.4 million • Peat Swamp, Marine Parks, Biosafety, Targeted Research, BIPV, MIEEIP, BIOGEN (Biomass Power Generation and Cogeneration in the Malaysian Palm Oil Mills), NC2 • Main achievements so far: • gazettements of additional PFE /protected areas, • formations of state wetlands/biodiversity committee, • development of energy services companies (ESCOs) support , energy audit guidelines & energy efficiency financing programme, • biosafety bill, • national training centre for grid-connected BIPV
KEY PLAYERS –RAF (GEF 4) • GEF 4 - National Dialogue started in June 2006. • Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment & ITS agencies: FRIM, Forestry Department, NAHRIM • Economic Planning Unit • Ministry of Energy, Water and Communication • Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry • Ministry of Housing and Local Government • Ministry of Commodities and Plantation Industries • Universities and Research Institutes • State Economic Planning Units • UNDP Malaysia • NGOs
RESULTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS • Conducted three main dialogues and many follow up meetings and discussion • Climate change projects list is almost ready – 5 main priority projects • Biodiversity projects – shortlist of 10 projects, still in discussions • At least 2 projects on mainstreaming environmental management • Two regional projects agreed
CHALLENGES • Climate change issues – energy efficiency and renewable energy has clear stakeholders • Biodiversity issues – many stakeholders with diverse priorities and urgency • Some proposals have similar objectives – need to be consolidated • State governments’ support for biodiversity projects is vital • Many proposals especially from Universities/RI but are more local issues and research based
LESSONS LEARNED • National based projects are less complex than regional • Stakeholders not very clear of GEF criteria • GEF 4 RAF mechanism is still evolving – updating of deadlines, procedures and document formats • Interagency coordination for certain cross cutting project ideas has been very challenging • OFP to carry out more awareness programme
CONCLUSIONS • GEF criteria must be clear and simple • Projects are to supplement national efforts vis-à-vis Convention objectives • It is country driven efforts and in line with National Development Plan • must receive full cooperation from GEF Secretariat