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November 2006 |
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Frank Pinto
Time seems to have flown by since the Third GEF Assembly in Cape Town, and before memories recede, it is useful to pause and reflect on that very successful event.
Immediately prior to the Assembly, the best news came in the form of a robust replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund topping $3.13 billion. The replenishment was announced at a special meeting of the GEF Council on August 28, at which 15 new GEF-UNDP projects were also approved.
At the GEF Assembly, a series of events were held, including the signing of a groundbreaking agreement for establishing an interim Benguela Current Commission (BCC), endorsement of a new initiative to “green” the World Cup 2010 which will be hosted by South Africa, and organizing site visits for Assembly delegates to view projects financed by GEF and partners.
The Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem project event was opened by UNDP Associate Administrator Ad Melkert, GEF CEO Monique Barbut, and Ministers of Angola, Namibia and South Africa. It marked the establishment of the Benguela Current Commission (BCC), which unites the governments of Angola, Namibia and South Africa in managing shared marine resources and in implementing the Benguela Current Strategic Action Plan.
A statement was made by international footballers and UNDP goodwill ambassadors Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima and Zinedine Zidane endorsing UNDP’s support for an initiative which will help ‘green’ the 2010 World Cup. By upgrading and better planning bus and rail services in hosting cities and demonstrating the use of alternative fuels and technologies, the initiative is being developed to show millions of World Cup fans that a well-designed, environmentally friendly public transport system can provide an alternative to private cars, thereby helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.
UNDP helped co-organize a series of site visits for all GEF Assembly participants to GEF-funded projects in the Cape Town area. Featured GEF projects implemented by UNDP included the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative, a visit to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) at the Kirstenbosch Gardens, and the GloBallast Project focusing on global ballast water issues and invasive species. A visit to Hermanus, regarded as the best land-based whale watching destination in the world, was also on the itinerary.
Other events to which UNDP contributed were the corporate GEF National Dialogue Initiative, lessons and experiences in mainstreaming biodiversity and mobilizing sustainable financing for protected areas; building capacity to counter the threat of invasive species; demonstrating the results of the IW:Learn program; capacity building and mainstreaming sustainable land management for Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States; participation in a TerrAfrica briefing; adaptation to climate change; sustainable transport; promoting energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions, and on threats posed by persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
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