focus of the presentation

GEF Sub-Regional Workshop, Nassau Bahamas Oct. 2007

Ministry of Energy & The Environment

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"Integrating GEF in Environment and Sustainable Development Plans

and Policies" Barbados’ Experience.

ByRickardo Ward

Ministry of Energy & the Environment



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Focus of the Presentation

• Barbados’ articulation of its sustainable development pursuits.

• Utilization of the GEF to-date

• Supporting mechanism (historical)

• Performance – a specific example.

• Revised National GEF Mechanism / Challenges for the future



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Coverage of GEF Focal Areas Within National Policy Documents - Barbados



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Barbados’ Utilization of the GEF – 1991-2007



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Barbados’ Utilization of the GEF – 1991-2007

• Support for the Development of the National Biosafety Framework

• Others?

Other GEF Supported Initiatives

Other ongoing work in GEF relevant areas

• National ODS phase-out Programme (UNEP/Multilateral Fund)

• National Land Degradation Programme (UNCCD)



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National Supporting Mechanism (Past)

Capacity issues:• GEF not developed as an operational programme within

Government.• GEF projects developed and pursued almost exclusively by the Min.

Of Environment.• Driven by external influences – responding to the needs of

international Conventions; limited work on on-the-ground activities • Responsiveness of GEF Project development timeframes to

Domestic needs.

Observation: Weak alignment between definition of the national development agenda and the engagement of the GEF as a supporting mechanism

SUCCESSES HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED !

(e.g: NBF, NBSAP, FNC…others)



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Performance – UNEP/GEF NBF Development Project

• Objective – Articulating the structure and functioning of a Barbados NBF

• National Executing Agency – MEE• Supported by a Multi-Stakeholder National Coordinating

Committee – (Environment, Agriculture, BNSI, IICA, UNEP…others)

• Consultants – Alleyne Planning Associates

Operational Environment

Constraints & Challenges

• Unpredictable Stakeholder and public participation• Coordinative conflicts – Min. of Environment and Min. of

Agriculture



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Performance – UNEP/GEF NBF Development Project

• National Competent Authority – Min of Agriculture• Defined the full Admin. and Regulatory Systems

required• National Bio-safety Awareness Workshop – Jan 2007• Enhanced Collaborative arrangement between MEE

and MAR• Now working on BCH Project and Implementation

Phase Project (significantly advanced).



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The Barbados NBF



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GEF as Supporting Mechanism for Integrating Global Environment (Present and Future)

• Promote greater awareness of the GEF policies and programes amongst Public Sector stakeholders (in particular).

• Generally promote knowledge of the GEF through uptake and utilization of the CSP facility.

• Provide project development support to stakeholders.• Monitor National GEF portfolio w.r.t facilitating the pursuit of

national development policies. • Performing duties as alternate Council member for the

Caribbean Constituency.

GEF now assigned as an Operational Portfolio

Still Concerns re. the responsiveness of the GEF as a facilitating mechanism to assist with the development and implementation of

projects on the ground in a timely manner.



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THANK YOUTHANK YOU