September 2007

Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel

In the course of its 12 years of operation, GEF’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) has advised on many emerging and complex issues—including biosafety, mainstreaming of biodiversity, and the potential opportunities and risks of substituting biofuels for fossil fuels—as well as providing reviews of large and complex project proposals.  However, some of STAP’s advice has been regarded as less relevant or was provided too late to make a difference. 

Responding to constructive feedback from the GEF Evaluation Office and others on how to build on successes and improve STAP’s effectiveness, UNEP is reconstituting STAP from July to September 2007.  This is being done with the backing of the GEF Council and the active help of the GEF Secretariat and the 10 GEF Agencies. These changes will result in a panel of six members (down from 15) to concentrate on providing strategic advice to the GEF, supported by a wider network of expertise. The slimmer version of STAP is complemented by changes to the STAP Secretariat to enhance its operational and technical capacity within the project cycle and to strengthen its capacity to draft advice. 

For more information please visit http://stapgef.unep.org/