Angola,Benin,Cameroon,Congo,Congo, DR,Cote
d'Ivoire,Gabon,Ghana,Equatorial Guinea,Guinea,Guinea-
Bissau,Liberia,Nigeria,St. Tome and Principe,Sierra Leone,Togo:
Development of a Strategic Action Program (SAP) for the Guinea Current
Large Marine Ecosystem. (UNDP,UNEP)
Operational Program: 9 (International Waters)
GEF Secretariat Review: PDF B Approval
Financing (millions):
$0.35
Total (millions):
$0.55
970
Summary
The proposed project concept involves 16 countries: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, DR of the Congo, Cote
d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe,
Sierra Leone, Togo. These countries, according to NOAA's definition, are the littoral states of the Guinea
Current LME (GCLME).
This proposal represents a follow up action with respect to the Pilot Phase Gulf of Guinea LME project (six
countries), which is presently nearing completion. The intent of the proposed new and separate project is to
extend the present Gulf of Guinea project from six to sixteen countries, including then the entire area known as
the "Guinea Current LME". The new project would assist these 16 countries "in making changes in the ways
that human activities are conducted in the different sectors to ensure that the GCLME and its multi-country
drainage basins can sustainably support the socio-economic development of the region. A project goal is to
build the capacity of Guinea Current countries to work jointly and in concert with other nations, regions and
GEF projects in West Africa to define and address transboundary priority environmental issues within the
framework of their existing responsibilities under the Abidjan Convention and its Regional Seas program."
The primary objectives of the PDF-B work are to hold a "Regional, Abidjan Convention based, Stocktaking
Meeting and prepare a project brief for the protection, management, and sustainable development of the
resources of the GCLME."
Expected Project Outputs:
The PDF-B work will produce: (i) a discussion paper describing existing
transboundary environmental issues in the six Pilot Phase countries and to
the extent possible, in the ten additional countries; (ii) briefing papers on
associated GEF projects (PDF-Bs) involving the countries that share,
respectively, the Canary (UNEP) and Benguela (UNDP) LMEs; (iii) the
designation of an initial set of specific demonstration activities; (iv) a full
project proposal, including the preparation of a TDA and SAP.
Project Duration (months):
7
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Basic Project Data
Project GEF ID:
Staff
Processing Status
Date
Program Manager
Merla
Processing Stage
Implementing Agency
UNDP,UNEP
Concept Pipeline Discussion
Regional Coordinator
PDF A - Agency Approval
Executing Agency
International Organization
PDF B - CEO Approval
Bilateral Project Review Meeting
4/11/00
Work Progrom Submission and Approv
CEO Endorsement
Agency Approval
Project Completion
Cost Summary
Cost Item
Years
Amount (USD'000)
Preparation
- PDF A
- PDF B
- PDF C
Project Allocation
- Executing Agency Fees and Costs
$0.00
- Project Managment Costs
$0.00
- Other Incremental Costs
$0.00
Completeness of Documentation
Focal Point.....................
Budget............................
Logical Framework........
STAP Review.................
Increment Cost...............
Length............................
Disclosure of Administration Cost....................................
Complete Cover Sheet....
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1. Country Ownership
Country Eligibility
Under para.9(b) of GEF Instrument
Evidence of Country Ownership/Country-Drivenness
The proposal includes the following evidence of country drivenness:
- letters of endorsement of GEF Operational Focal Points of 6 countries (those who pareticipated to the Pilot
Phase);
- "Letters of consent" sent by officials (not Op. Focal Points) of 10 additional countries; these letters are
addressed to different individuals and organizations (UNIDO consultants, UNIDO, Mr. Speth) and show
interest in joining any follow up of the Pilot Phase project;
- Co-financing in kind from Governments equivalent to $6k per country.
2. Program and Policy Conformity
Portfolio Balance
The proposed project would expand GEF action in the coastal seas of Western Africa to include 16 littoral
states. It would complement concurrent project preparatory actions to the North (Canary Current PDF-B) and to
the South (Benguela Current PDF-B).
Program Conformity
In general terms, the project would fit OP9.
Replicability
No mention is made of specific lessons learnt or best practices resulting from the Pilot Phase that could be
replicated throughout the region.
Potential Global Environmental Benefits of Project
Providing assistance to the many participating countries in the enabling process of the TDA/SAP preparation
and agreement should lead to needed policy, institutional, and legislative changes. Further, this assistance
should lead to a commitment to on the ground actions to address the main transboundary issues.
Sustainability
Not addressed.
Baseline Course of Action
Countries will continue their sectoral approach to coastal/marine management; the Abidjan Convention, because
of lack of commitments and financial resources, will remain largely ineffective.
Alternative Action Supported by project
Through the TDA/SAP process the Project will encourage joint management and an holistic ecosystem
approach, bringing also some strenght to the Convention.
Conformity with GEF Public Involvement Policy
Private Sector Involvement
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3. Appropriateness of GEF Financing
Incremental Cost
Appropriateness of Financial Modality Proposed
The co-financing, $240k, is entirely in kind. No contribution is made by the IA or the selected EA. The PDF-B
resources will be devoted entirely to the organization of the Stocktaking Meeting and preparation of the prject
brief.
Financial Sustainability of the GEF-Funded Activity
Absorptive Capability
Cost Effectiveness
4. Coordination with Other Institutions
Collaboration
Following recommendations made by GEFSEC in occasion of a previous submission of this proposal, full
collaboration with UNEP has been achieved. UNEP in fact will co-implement the PDF-B, and lead the
organization of the Stocktaking Meeting.
Complementarity with Ongoing Activities
Purpose of the PDF-B works (the Stocktaking Meeting) is the formulation of a comprehensive strategic
coordination among ongoing projects, including GEF financed ones, dealing with coastal-marine resources.
5. Responsiveness to Comments and Evaluations
Core Commitments
Linkages
Consultation and Coordination
Consistency w/previous upstream consultations, project preparation work, and processing conditions
Extensive consultations have taken place among agencies, with GEFSEC, and within the Task Force.
Monitoring & evaluation: Minumum GEF Standards, ME plan, proposed indicators, lessons from PIRs and
Project Lessons Study
Indicators
Implementing Agencies' Comments
The World Bank has recommended that reference be made to links with WB lead coastal biodiversity projects
in the region.
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STAP Review
Council members' Comments
Technical Assurances
Convention Secretariat
Other Technical Comments
Further Processing
The program manager would recommend for CEO approval this proposal subject to:
- justification of the selection of the Executing Agency according to its comparative advantages;
- satisfactory clarifications on the state of participating countries endorsements.
During the Bilateral meeting held on Aril 11, 2000, it was agreed that the proposal would be recommended for
approval upon receival of a revised text justifying the selection of the EA, and upon endorsement of the
proposal by at least 11 of the 16 countries involved in the project.
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