Seychelles Country Presentationon:

Integrating the GEF in Environment and Sustainable Development Plans

and Policies

May 2007

On behalf of the Political and Operational Focal Points

Introduction:

1. Seychelles’ national context Process and key players involved

2. Constraints and Challenges Lessons Learnt and innovative solutions

3. Conclusion and Recommendations: How will we tackle our future endeavours?

……4 Degrees South of the Equator, 115 islands, 47% of land mass under protective status, 1.374 square kilometres of Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ), 2 World heritage Sites, Coco-De-mer, numerous endemics…..

2. Seychelles Context:

•Environmental concerns are embedded in the Constitution:-Article 38“….every person to live in and enjoy a clean, healthy and ecologically balanced environment….”)

•Environmental Management Plans of Seychelles:- 2 generations and primary mechanism for environmental management

•International Conventions Unit closely coordinates with GEF OFP:- implementation of the Country Support Programme (MOU), Progress

Environmental Management Plan 2000-2010

Multi-cross-sectoral stakeholder steering committee with some 40 members who meet every month. Chaired by the GEF OFP with the assistance of a coordination unit.

Discussions were had on the RAF and recommendations made for national priority listing.

EMPS oversees all GEF project implementation (6)

GEF Presentations made in September 2006 (after the GEF 3 Assembly), in January and March 2007.

3. Constraints and lessons learnt

As a SIDS; various capacity constraints…such identified inGEF NCSA (May 2005); ….”Lessons Learned” from earlier environmental projects in

Seychelles have shown that it is crucial to have a strong project coordination mechanism….”

Proposal to have a GEF Programme Coordination Unit (FSP) Under the FSP ‘mainstreaming biodiversity’ 4 programmes: 6 GEF UNDP projects to be

coordinated centrally Main Project Steering Committee, guided by EMPS

Steering Committee

Unable to access the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP)has put the NGO community at a disadvantage

Biodiversity conservation in the face of development pressures….first of its kind for SIDS

The project will: a) create enabling conditions for mainstreaming biodiversity

management into cross- sectoral planning; b) b) develop methods and means for integrating biodiversity

into artisanal fisheries management, and; c) c) make biodiversity conservation a routine part of

operations in the tourism sector

Further information and access to all project documents are available on www.env.gov.sc/bdmainstream

“Mainstreaming biodiversity management into production sector activities”

Way forward…..

Establish Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) for FSP; Establishment of the SGP nationally (or similar set up); Continue the implementation of MOU CSP workplan Host National Dialogue initiative (NDI) June 2007 With an effective PCU, provide a more coordinated

management to implement and develop future GEF projects……

Share our experiences Strive to refine and ameliorate national processes to

better secure international funds

Thank you…Asante….Mersi Bokou