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November 2006 |
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Looking back on the Assembly, the GEF Evaluation Office found it to be a vibrant week with a very positive atmosphere and successful talks on many issues.
On the second day the Director, Rob D. van den Berg, reported on the Third Overall Performance Study of the GEF (OPS3) as well as more recent evaluations, highlighting positive results in the areas of biodiversity and climate change and optimistic projected contributions. The evidence that the Evaluation Office reports on is about intermediary results rather than the final impact that the GEF is trying to achieve.
In regard to future results under GEF-4, he stressed two points. The GEF should not harbor unrealistic expectations as it is not able to solve global environmental problems on its own. The problems are immense and the GEF must be realistic about what it can do. Secondly, expectations for results for GEF-4 should be lower than for GEF-3 as the fourth replenishment is lower in real terms than in previous periods, and the available funds need to be spread over more goals and focal areas. Donors should not expect more results for less money.
The Evaluation Office hosted a side event on OPS3 which was well attended and a success. The side event was chaired by Yolanda Kakabadse, Chair of the GEF Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP). The panelists included Roberto Dobles, Minister of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica; Mark Wagner, OPS3 Team Leader, and Rob van den Berg.
The Evaluation Office disseminated its publications from a table in the GEF corporate booth. Hard copies and CDs of OPS3 in six languages were distributed as well as recent evaluation reports and documents.
Staff from the Evaluation Office participated in the Assembly roundtables and site visits. While in South Africa, EO staff took the opportunity to meet with country delegations and other members of the GEF partnership to discuss results of GEF evaluations and future work program. Evaluation Office staff also worked on several on-going evaluations conducting meetings with the Government of South Africa and Implementing and Executing Agencies, and writing sections of evaluation documents. The ongoing evaluations include the Joint Evaluation of the GEF Modalities and Activities Cycle, the Experience of Executing Agencies under Expanded Opportunities in the GEF, and Incremental Cost Assessment.
The OPS3 report, document GEF/A.3/7, is available in six languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) on the Assembly website www.thegef.org/3rd_assembly/. Rob van den Berg’s statement is also posted on the GEF Assembly website, under statements.
The OPS3 report, other publications, and further information about the on-going evaluations can be found on the Evaluation Office’s website www.thegef.org. Copies of OPS3 can be requested by contacting the GEF Evaluation Office by email at gefevaluation@the.org. |
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