PROJECT IDENTIFICATION FORM (PIF)
PROJECT TYPE: Full-sized Project
THE GEF TRUST FUND
Submission Date: 21 January 2008
Re-submission Date: 15 February 2008
PART I: PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
GEFSEC PROJECT ID1: 3639
INDICATIVE CALENDAR
GEF AGENCY PROJECT ID: PIMS NO. 4164
Milestones Expected
Dates
COUNTRY(IES): Global
Work Program (for FSP)
April 2008
PROJECT TITLE: GEF IW:LEARN: Portfolio Learning in
CEO Endorsement/Approval
Nov 2008
International Waters with a Focus on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
GEF Agency Approval
Nov 2008
and Regional Asia/Pacific and Coral Triangle Learning Processes
Implementation Start
Dec 2008
GEF AGENCY(IES): UNDP, AsDB, (select)
Mid-term Review
O
(if planned)
Dec 2010
THER EXECUTING PARTNER(S): UNOPS
GEF
Implementation Completion
Dec 2012
FOCAL AREA (S): International Waters,(select), (select)
GEF-4 STRATEGIC PROGRAM(S): Strategic Objectives 1 and 2;
cross-cutting across all 4 IW Strategic Priorities
NAME OF PARENT PROGRAM/UMBRELLA PROJECT: ASIA CORAL TRIANGLE
A. PROJECT FRAMEWORK (Expand table as necessary)
Project Objective: To advance integrated ecosystem-based management of ocean and coastal areas at global, regional and
national levels through coordination of global and regional strategic planning processes, especially in advancing
implementation of global commitments for oceans, coasts, and small island developing states (SIDS), and through regional,
thematic and portfolio learning and experience-sharing. The project integrates GEF-supported transboundary experiences into
global efforts to improve freshwater, coastal and marine resources management in the context of achieving JPOI and MDG
targets and adapting to climate variability and change, with a focus on the Asia/Pacific region.
Indicate
Indicative
Indicative
whether
Expected Outcomes
Expected
GEF
Co-
Project
Total ($)
Investment,
Outputs
Financing*
financing*
Components
TA, or
($)
%
($)
%
STA**
1. Advancing
TA, STA
1) Global oceans
1) Strategic
900,000
43
1, 170,000 57
2,070,000
the global
strategic planning to
guidance and at
agenda for
2016 carried out to
least 15 Working
advance the global
Group reports
Oceans, Coasts
oceans agenda:
published and
and Small Island
Multinational Working
widely
Developing
Groups develop
disseminated;
States,
JPOI/MDG
evidence of
implementation priority
actions based on
especially the
steps for ecosystem-
steps identified
JPOI and MDG
based integrated ocean
by WGs
goals
management;
documented in at
least 10 GEF IW
2) Multi-stakeholder fora
Experience
mobilize high-level
Notes, and
policy attention, action
presented in such
and specific initiatives
fora as GEF
highlighted at:
IWC6 and World
a) 2009 World Ocean
Water Forum5;
Conference, Indonesia,
2) Materials and
b) 5th Global Conference
proceedings
on Oceans, Coasts, and
produced by
Islands, 2011;
Global Oceans
1 Project ID number will be assigned initially by GEFSEC.
1
PIF Template, August 30, 2007
fora, documented
3) Partnerships and
conclusions and
financial resources are
commitments of
mobilized for adaptation
at least 100
capacity building with
participating
emphasis on poor
governments and
vulnerable countries,
organizations; at
providing opportunities
least 90 countries
for sharing of best
represented at 5th
management practices
Global Oceans,
and technology, and
Coasts & Islands
mechanisms for
Conference;
incorporating available
3) Partnerships
scientific information,
formed and
risk and uncertainty
practical
factors in the
initiatives funded
management planning
in at least 10 poor
process for integrated
vulnerable states.
ocean and coastal
management.
2. GEF IW
TA, STA
1) Communities of
1) 5th GEF IWC
400,000
50
400,000 50
800,000
Portfolio
Practice (CoPs) on
Portfolio
Learning: Fifth
www.iwlearn.net,
Learning with at
learning exchanges and
least 300 reps of
Bienniel GEF
transfer of practical
at least 70 IW
IW Conference,
experiences for scaling
projects,
2009 (Australia
up and replication of
governments &
to sponsor &
successful approaches;
partners; results
disseminated in
Great Barrier
2) Asia/Pacific regional
proceedings; new
Reef MPA to
learning and leadership
series of at least
co-host)
on SIDS, oceans and
10 GEF IW
climate impacts shared
Experience Notes
with global portfolio;
produced &
vetted by GEF
3) Mechanisms for
IWTF;
linking GEF portfolio
2) GEF IW
learning cycle with
contributions to
World Water Forum and
ecosystem-based
GEF IW contributions
mgmt & sust
highlighted in WWF5
development
sessions and in the 5th
targets and at
Global Oceans
least 10 GEF IW
Conference;
project
contributions
4) Renewed mandate
cited in WWF5
from portfolio for IWC6
proceedings;
3) At least 10
GEF IW projects
contribute
practical
experience to 5th
Global Oceans
Conf.
4) Feedback to
GEF from IW
portfolio &
mandate,
identification of
host country &
priority themes
for IWC6
3. Regional
TA, STA
1) Regional learning
1) Inter-project
1,200,000
46
1,400,000 54
2,600,000
Cooperation and
mechanisms established
exchange results,
Knowledge
among CTI partners and
targeted learning
programs in Southeast
proceedings &
2
PIF Template, August 30, 2007
Sharing to
Asia and the Pacific;
after-action
Support the
regional challenges,
reports,
Coral Triangle
priorities and
identifying
opportunities identified
synergies &
Initiative
and Transboundary
resulting
Water Resources
partnership aims,
Management (TWRM)
activities &
actions, including
outcomes;
targeted workshops
2) Online COP/s
supported by regional
established &
and thematic CoPs
populated
(www.iwlearn.net),
w/substantive
user-driven info
2) Learning exchanges
& resources on
initiated to respond to
www.iwlearn.net;
challenges and leverage
3) Innovative
synergies, and necessary
financing
flow of resources
mechanisms &
mobilized to build up
IW approaches
institutional TWRM
captured in at
implementation
least 10 GEF IW
capability for
Experience
marine/coastal/SIDS in
Notes;
CTI.
4) CTI & PAS
feedback to GEF
3) Civil society
and inputs to
engagement in TWRM
GEF IWCs,
and community-based
Global Oceans
actions in ICM and
processes &
IWRM in CTI countries
ongoing regional
IW learning.
5) Dialogue
workshops with
NGOs and
selected local
communities led
by WWF
4. Project
Oversight and coordination across all component activities and
200,000
64
112,500 36
312,500
management
partners
Total project
2,700,000
3,082,500
5,782,500
costs
* List the $ by project components. The percentage is the share of GEF and Co-financing respectively to the total amount for the component.
** TA = Technical Assistance; STA = Scientific & technical analysis.
B. INDICATIVE FINANCING PLAN SUMMARY FOR THE PROJECT ($)
Project Preparation*
Project
Agency Fee
Total
GEF
PPG request TBD
2,700,000
270,000
2,970,000
Co-financing
3,082,500
3,082,500
Total
5,782,500
270,000
6,052,500
* Please include the previously approved PDFs and planned request for new PPG, if any. Indicate the amount already approved as
footnote here and if the GEF funding is from GEF-3.
C. INDICATIVE CO-FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT (including project preparation amount) BY SOURCE and
BY NAME (in parenthesis) if available, ($)
Sources of Co-financing
Type of Co-financing
Amount
Project Government Contribution
Unknown at this stage
875,000
UNDP
In-kind 70,000
3
PIF Template, August 30, 2007
AsDB
Grant 500,000
AsDB
In-kind 200,000
GEF Agency(ies) (others)
Unknown at this stage
925,000
Bilateral Aid Agency(ies)
Unknown at this stage
Multilateral Agency(ies)
Unknown at this stage
Private Sector
Unknown at this stage
NGO
Unknown at this stage
400,000
Others
Unknown at this stage
112,500
Total co-financing
3,082,500
D. GEF RESOURCES REQUESTED BY FOCAL AREA(S), AGENCY (IES) SHARE AND COUNTRY(IES)*
(in $)
GEF
Country Name/
Agency
Focal Area
Global
Project
Agency
Preparation
Project
Fee
Total
UNDP
International Waters Global
1,500,000
150,000
1,650,000
AsDB
International Waters Regional CTI
1,200,000
120,000
1,320,000
(select)
(select)
(select)
(select)
(select)
(select)
(select)
(select)
Total GEF Resources
2,700,000
2,70,000
2,970,000
* No need to provide information for this table if it is a single focal area, single country and single GEF Agency project.
PART II: PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
A. STATE THE ISSUE, HOW THE PROJECT SEEKS TO ADDRESS IT, AND THE EXPECTED GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS TO BE
DELIVERED:
The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) have set forth tangible targets and
timetables for nations to implement regarding oceans, coasts, SIDS, biodiversity, and freshwater. In the past five years, demonstrable
progress has been made in achieving some of these goals, especially through the GEF IW projects related to freshwater systems,
coasts, oceans and large marine ecosystems; lessons from these projects can usefully be adapted to scale up or apply in other settings
and regions. With the increased certainty about likely profound climate changes, as highlighted in the 2007 Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as national decision makers and the international community work to accelerate their
efforts to implement the JPOI and MDG commitments, they will also need to factor in the projected effects of climate change.
Climate change is causing a variety of impacts on ecosystems and human communities, which vary by region and will increasingly
and especially affect the poorest people on earth, as documented in detail by the 2007 UN Human Development report. These issues
must be addressed at the global level to determine strategic next steps that need to be taken by nations and the international
community and can be expected to be particularly effective at regional levels as well. Work underway in the Asia-Pacific region and
in the Pacific Islands region provides, in particular, useful lessons on nation-to-nation cooperation in transboundary management of
marine resources--resources of significant global as well as regional economic and social value which are also especially vulnerable
to climate changes.
The project includes three inter-related and mutually supportive components: 1) strategic planning to advance the global oceans
agenda and the further implementation of the JPOI and MDG targets, including specific capacity development initiatives in various
world regions in the context of climate change; 2) portfolio learning among GEF IW projects to achieve maximum synergy in the
further dissemination of lessons learned on integrated, ecosystem-based management; and 3) regional learning mechanisms emanating
from initiatives in integrated ecosystem-based management in the Asia-Pacific region.
Component 1: Advancing the global agenda on Oceans, Coasts and Small Island Developing States, especially the JPOI and
MDG goals (Component 1 to be carried out by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands). This component will organize
multi-stakeholder global conferences to mobilize high-level policy attention, action, and specific initiatives to advance ecosystem-
based oceans and LME governance in the context of climate variability and change, namely: 1) World Ocean Conference 2009,
Manado, Indonesia (Ministerial segment); 2) 5th Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands (2010/2011); and 3) Multi-
stakeholder consultation on priority areas of research to support the enhancement of governance of marine areas beyond national
jurisdiction that could be supported through GEF5. Multi-stakeholder dialogues will review progress achieved and focus on tangible 4
PIF Template, August 30, 2007
next steps in advancing the JPOI and MDG goals, in particular the ecosystem management and integrated coastal and ocean
management by 2010 targets scheduled for review by the CSD in 2014-15. In preparation for broader discussion and consultation
during these dialogues, multinational Ocean Governance Working Groups involving ocean leaders and experts from all sectors and
regions of the world will advance strategic planning for the global oceans agenda to 2016 including through the development of
priority next steps for JPOI and MDG implementation of ecosystem-based integrated ocean management; SIDS and the Mauritius
International Strategy; fisheries and aquaculture; biodiversity and marine protected areas; climate change and practical approaches to
adaptation.
Component 1 will foster partnerships and regional learning processes for mobilizing the necessary flow of resources and the
institutional implementation capabilities for TWRM in marine and coastal areas and in SIDS in synergy with the GEF IW:LEARN
portfolio learning process and the 5th IWC (Component 2) and existing partnerships such as the Pacific Alliance for Sustainability
(PAS) and the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) (Component 3). With the aim of achieving ecosystem-based integrated transboundary
water and natural resources management as an underpinning of sustainable development and adaptation to climate change impacts,
Global Forum activities will target particularly vulnerable groups of countries, to exchange practical approaches on how sea level rise
and other climate change-related issues could be incorporated in risk assessments and into planning processes in integrated ocean and
coastal management that can be replicated in other regions and countries and scaled up. Significant lessons learned derived through
IW:LEARN from the existing and new IW projects (Component 2), including specific outcomes from the Coral Triangle Initiative,
and the start-up of PAS activities (Component 3) are expected to contribute substantially to this process. In particular, the CTI could
be featured in the Ministerial segment of the World Ocean Conference with subsequent progress achieved to be reported during the 5th
Global Oceans Conference.
Global Forum capacity development activities will focus especially on 4 groupings of countries: i) 44 SIDS countries in cooperation
with the Alliance of Small Island States; ii) Sub-Saharan countries in cooperation with the New Partnership for Africa's Development
(NEPAD), African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW) and the African Development Bank; iii) 8 Portuguese-speaking
countries, under the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Nations (CPLP) which includes some of the world's poorest nations; and iv)
countries bordering the Coral Triangle (Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor Leste, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and
Malaysia.
Component 2: GEF IW Portfolio Learning: Fifth Biennial GEF IW Conference (IWC), 2009, Australia(Strong interest expressed
from a range of agencies including the expectation of significant financial support from AusAid and indication that it may be possible
to seek sponsorship from a number of government, industry and tertiary institutions in the region; the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority has offered to co-host. Component 2 will be carried out by IW:LEARN in partnership with the government of Australia and
in cooperation with the GEF IW Task Force. Building on the active learning format of the 4th GEF IWC in Cape Town, the 5th GEF
IWC will convene about 300 representatives of governments cooperating in strategic transboundary water resources management
programs, their GEF IW project managers and implementation partners, and feature an Innovation Marketplace, extensive
opportunities for focused learning on scientific and technical innovations, interaction with GEF and Implementing Agencies on
policies, procedures and project management, as well as ample time for the highly-rated participant-directed experience-sharing and
peer-to-peer inter-project `clinic' sessions, and real-time video reflections. The 5th IWC will mobilize coordination among
international and regional strategic planning processes to advance ecosystem-based management of transboundary water and natural
resource systems, facilitate identification of synergies and instigate commitments to action, while providing opportunities for GEF to
take stock of progress across the IW portfolio, and will consolidate innovative and usefully replicable GEF IW experiences and codify
transboundary ecosystem-based management priorities that can be contributed into regional and thematic knowledge-sharing
processes and other global fora, including via Components 1 & 3. In particular, the project will facilitate GEF IW participation in and
contributions to the 5th World Water Forum and aims to establish GEF IW linkages with the Global Oceans strategic planning to 2016
process and with the 3-year World Water Forum cycle.
Component 3: Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing to Support the Coral Triangle Initiative (Component 3 to be
carried out by GEF IW:LEARN with ADB and NGO partners and in synergy with the CTI Monitoring and Knowledge Management
component). a) To address the already significant impacts of climate change on ocean, coastal and coral reef ecosystems and the
economies and cultures they support, a regional CTI / PAS consultative dialogue process will assess challenges and opportunities for
leveraging improved coordination and synergies across international waters, biodiversity, land degradation and adaptation projects and
programs, identify partnerships to share, adapt or scale up innovative or practical experiences, and generate feedback to GEF from this
group of governments and their partners. b) To establish mechanisms for peer-to-peer exchange of practical experiences and regional
learning among Coral Triangle projects, inter-project learning exchanges, and targeted learning activities will address priority
challenges and opportunities identified in the regional consultative dialogue, Global Forum working groups (Component 1) and GEF
portfolio learning process (Component 2) and the project will support innovative public and private partnership activities to sustain
action.
5
PIF Template, August 30, 2007
The project will deliver global environmental benefits by creating enabling conditions for strategic planning and facilitating inter-
and intra-regional adaptive learning processes necessary to accelerate the achievement of water resources-related WSSD targets, with
a particular emphasis on advancing integrated ecosystem-based management for global oceans, coasts, and small island developing
states (SIDS) in the context of climate change. The support, through Component 3, to the Coral Triangle Initiative will contribute to
the scaling up and replication of good practices in TWRM, ICM and IWRM in the world's most biodiversity rich marine environment
holding more than 75% of the known coral species and about 3,000 species of reef fish.
Building directly on the foundations of the GEF IW portfolio of river and lake basin, groundwater system, and large marine ecosystem
(LME) projects, the GEF IW Learning Exchange and Resources Network (IW:LEARN project, 1998-2008), and work carried out
under the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands' GEF/MSP 2005-2007, this project will accelerate the attainment of JPOI and
MDG goals, will raise the profile of transboundary water governance at the international level, and will establish new mechanisms for
regional learning among the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) and GEF Pacific Alliance for Sustainability (PAS) groups of projects and
countries.
B. DESCRIBE THE CONSISTENCY OF THE PROJECT WITH NATIONAL PRIORITIES/PLANS:
As a portfolio learning mechanism, the 4th GEF IW conference (IWC) accelerated active and participatory portfolio learning.
Government representatives from 70 countries not only cited practical knowledge and skills gained in a strong consensus on the take-
home value of the GEF IWC, but also provided detailed comments and suggestions for additional activities and approaches, which
will inform the 5th GEF IW conference supported by this project.
The value of the Global Oceans Conferences organized by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, as well as of the strategic
policy discussions involving multiple stakeholders from close to 100 countries and also of periodic report cards tracking progress (or
lack thereof) on global goals in advancing the ecosystem-based governance agenda, have been emphasized by policymakers and
stakeholders from around the world (See comments by experts from European Commission, UNDOALOS, Australia, Japan,
International Ocean Institute, Mexico, Canada, Tuvalu, Denmark, Indonesia, Vietnam, France) (noted in the Appendix).
Since the 2005 Mauritius International Meeting, the need to enhance the long-term capacity of SIDS nations on ocean and coastal
management, especially in terms of adaptation to climate change, has been emphasized and reiterated by SIDS leaders at the 2006
Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands at UNESCO, Paris, and detailed in the regional capacity assessment reports
produced for Pacific SIDS, Caribbean SIDS, and Atlantic SIDS, and Indian Ocean SIDS produced by the Global Forum's GEF/MSP
(2005-2007). Regional capacity assessment reports in Latin America, Africa, and East Asia (produced by the GEF/MSP 2005-2007)
similarly call for focused in-country capacity building mechanisms and strategies to accelerate the achievement of WSSD and MDG
goals, while anticipating and responding to climate change effects.
More specifically, the need to enhance the capacity of nations in Sub-Sahara Africa, especially with regard to integration of
groundwater in river and where relevant also with lake basin with coastal and LME management, as well as managing Exclusive
Economic Zones and enhancing ocean use agreements has been emphasized by Ministers from African nations at the 2006 Global
Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands at UNESCO, Paris, and at the AMCOW (African Ministerial Council on Water) meeting
in Brazzaville, Congo in 2007.
The capacity needs of 8 Portuguese-Speaking nations regarding ocean and coastal management were described in detail at The Ocean
Policy Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, in October 2005, organized by the Global Forum with the Portuguese government and other
partners.
The cross-learning between and among CTI and PAS projects covered by this proposal would also benefit nations whose Exclusive
Economic Zones are part of the Coral Triangle (Indonesia, East Timor, the Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and the
Solomon Islands), which is threatened by over-fishing, destructive fishing practices, pollution and climate change. This project will
complement and support the CTI, recently endorsed by Asia-Pacific APEC member nations, in addressing these threats and help to
ensure long-term benefits from the marine biological resources of the region.
C. DESCRIBE THE CONSISTENCY OF THE PROJECT WITH GEF STRATEGIES AND STRATEGIC PROGRAMS:
The project meets GEF IW Strategic long-term Objective 1 to foster international, multi-state cooperation on priority transboundary
water concerns through more comprehensive, ecosystem-based approaches to management, and Objective 2 to catalyze transboundary
action addressing water concerns, by assisting countries to utilize the full range of technical assistance, economic, financial, regulatory
and institutional reforms that are needed, and in particular by supporting activities that enable countries to:
* Learn to work together on their key transboundary concerns
* Set priorities for joint action
* Implement those actions if a political commitment to sustainability is shown
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PIF Template, August 30, 2007
Through targeted experience-sharing and learning among the new and existing GEF IW projects in the portfolio--as well as across
marine, coastal and LME projects under the thematic umbrella of the Global Oceans Forum, and at the regional level among the Coral
Triangle group of projects-- the capacity of projects to achieve objectives and replicate good practices before project completion can
be enhanced. Building on the foundations of the GEF IW:LEARN program, its web-based resource center (www.iwlearn.net), and in
consultation with the GEF IW Task Force, the project carries forward the South-to-South experience sharing among IW projects and
their partners that contributes to quality enhancement for the GEF IW portfolio, establishment of knowledge management tools to
transfer and adapt good practices, and institutional capacity building for accelerated replication and scaling up.
The project is cross-cutting across all four GEF strategic programs:
1. Restoring and sustaining coastal and marine fish stocks and associated biological diversity, which is linked to the GEF Biodiversity
strategic program on marine protected areas;
2. Reducing nutrient over-enrichment and oxygen depletion from land-based pollution of coastal waters in LMEs consistent with the
GPA;
3. Balancing overuse and conflicting uses of water resources in transboundary surface and groundwater basins;
4. Reducing persistent toxic substances and promoting adaptive management of waters in areas with melting ice.
Adaptation to climate change is addressed as a cross-cutting issue, and the principle of 'climate-proofing' is reflected in priority areas
such as the need to build capacity to design resilient systems for adaptive management of LMEs and SIDs.
The development of sectoral platforms under the GEF strategy to enhance engagement with the private sector PPP (Public/Private
Sector Partnership fund) will also be of interest to GEF IW and Global Oceans Forum strategic processes and Working Groups.
As noted in the GEF Revised Focal Area Strategies (paragraph 31), "Knowledge management and systematic learning is equally
important to ensure that insights generated through project interventions add value internally and externally." Portfolio-wide, regional
and targeted learning activities will strengthen--and measure--gains in institutional capacity of regional and national level partners,
and the establishment of learning outcomes indicators is expected to enable project partners on the ground to continue building
implementation capacity in water governance beyond completion of the project.
D. OUTLINE THE COORDINATION WITH OTHER RELATED INITIATIVES:
Since this project will involve a strategic planning process to advance the global ecosystem-based management agenda, it will
promote initiatives that target gaps in the achievement of JPOI/MDG targets, complementing what is already being implemented by
other programs and projects. It will build on existing programs and projects addressing integrated coastal and ocean management,
ecosystem-based management and institutional capacity building, such as the work of UN-Water and the UN-OCEANS in
coordinating global UN initiatives; the Global Marine Assessment; the University Consortium of Small Island States' ongoing work
on capacity development; the Africa Water Vision 2025; the framework agreement among the Community of Portuguese-speaking
countries (CPLP) on integrated coastal management; the UN Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea; the Coral
Triangle Initiative (CTI) and GEF Pacific Alliance for Sustainability (GPAS) regional groups of projects, as well as the various GEF
regional programs and projects implemented by UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank on integrated freshwater, and LME management.
E. DISCUSS THE VALUE-ADDED OF GEF INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROJECT DEMONSTRATED THROUGH INCREMENTAL REASONING :
This project represents a modest incremental cost which aims to leverage a greater return on GEF IW investments across the GEF
portfolio. Through regional, thematic and portfolio learning and experience-sharing the project integrates GEF-supported
transboundary experiences into global efforts to improve freshwater, coastal and marine resources management in the context of
achieving JPOI and MDG Goals and adapting to climate variability and change. As GEF Council documentation has emphasized,
facilitating transfer of lessons and experiences between projects is an important investment: potential yields are large in terms of
improvements in replication efficiency and scaling up successful approaches. Over the long term, the regional, LME or basin system
multi-use management approach, stakeholder engagement and proliferation of partnerships to share transboundary water and natural
resource system benefits will reduce the recurrent costs to GEF, governments and other donor partners of "reinventing the wheel"
while strengthening water governance across basins and oceans, and from community through regional scales. By complementing
existing global initiatives on river and lake basins, shared groundwater, LMEs and SIDS, the project addresses needs identified by
governments and stakeholder groups in GEF project regions, and draws high-level political attention, resources, and initiative to those
needs. By developing a course of action for achieving shared water resources-related targets as set forth in the JPOI through a
strategic planning process and multi-stakeholder dialogues, the project helps to build institutional implementation capacity and
establish sustainable financing through partnerships. National governments, regional organizations, agencies of the UN system, and
international and bilateral donors maintain a priority interest in, and commitment to, activities aimed at implementing the JPOI and
MDG targets. By providing necessary resources for multi-stakeholder dialogues, associated policy analyses, regional learning
exchanges and partnership building, where participation of developing country experts and other personnel who otherwise could not 7
PIF Template, August 30, 2007
participate without travel support, are ensured, this project assists IW stakeholders in putting greater emphasis on ecosystem-based
water and natural resources management and policies in national, regional, and international agendas, and facilitates further analytical
and development initiatives towards the implementation of JPOI and MDG targets. The series of multi-stakeholder dialogues under
Component 1 will allow developing country participants to realize and reconfirm the significance of their work and contribution to the
broader process of achieving the global oceans agenda. Furthermore, the project will serve as a channel for wider dissemination of the
outcomes of GEF International Waters projects to others that may benefit from the experiences in further replicating and scaling up
implementation of these approaches. The expansion of stakeholders to be included in the Global Forum and the formulation of a long-
term strategic plan for advancing the global oceans agenda are useful in leveraging additional involvement, innovation and widespread
support and in mobilizing sources of additional funding for further future activities.
F. INDICATE RISKS, INCLUDING CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS, THAT MIGHT PREVENT THE PROJECT OBJECTIVE(S) FROM BEING
ACHIEVED, AND IF POSSIBLE INCLUDING RISK MEASURES THAT WILL BE TAKEN:
The project's focus on practical approaches to adaptation to climate change impacts will be especially useful to SIDS and developing
countries, and the Coral Triangle states in particular in their struggle to address the additional social, political and environmental risks
imposed by climate variability and change. The possibility of extreme events triggered by climate or in conjunction with other
environmental, economic or political shocks could put achievement of project objectives at risk, however it would be hoped that the
broader contributions of the project to adaptation and development would help to mitigate the impact of any such unforeseen events in
the countries of the project partners.
G. DESCRIBE, IF POSSIBLE, THE EXPECTED COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROJECT:
The cost-effectiveness of the project components draws upon partnerships to effect efficiencies in implementation. A partnership is
under discussion with the government of Australia over the possible hosting of the next IWC and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority has already offered to co-host the IWC5 in 2009. Drawing upon local logistical and technical expertise could reduce
operational costs relative to prior conferences, and GEF IW conferences (IWCs) have been `mainstreamed' into GEF IW project
operations and budgets. Development and implementation of a strategic oceans agenda through the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts,
and Islands, will map initiatives that need to be carried out in order to achieve the JPOI targets on oceans, coasts, and SIDS, providing
participating governments, non-governmental organizations, international and intergovernmental organizations, science groups, and
the private sector with a systematic framework and an action plan targeting crucial intermediate objectives to be addressed by
organizations identified as having the best comparative advantage in implementing the specific activities. Strategic planning processes
will be informed by matrices of "who is doing what," in order to enable coordination and minimize or avoid duplication of efforts.
GEF and other donors and sponsoring partners will be able to use the GEF IW conference outcomes, the strategic oceans agenda and
the results of the Coral Triangle regional dialogue as common basis for decision-making toward harmonizing, streamlining and
programming funding priorities.
H. JUSTIFY THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE OF GEF AGENCY:
The GEF International Waters Task Force (IWTF) will work closely with project management to balance and leverage Implementing
Agency participation in the respective areas of comparative advantage, to ensure GEF IW project involvement in the globally
influential fora targeted by the project, and will also take an active role in working with the host government's team to formulate the
agenda for the next GEF IWC. The Global Forum will be working with UNDP, UNEP, and the World Bank as well as with
IOC/UNESCO, FAO, and UNIDO on the ocean governance initiatives supported by the project. The Coral Triangle group of projects
will benefit from the opportunity to leverage regional synergies across GEF focal areas under the coordination of AsDB. Project
initiatives on strategic planning, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and capacity building through partnerships will be utilizing the
comparative advantages of the GEF implementing and executing agencies, especially in the areas of: 1) integrated policy development
and policy reform (UNDP, UNEP, World Bank, AsDB); 2) best available science and knowledge (UNEP, IOC/UNESCO, FAO); 3)
multi-stakeholder consultations (UNDP, UNEP and UNIDO); 4) human resources development (UNDP); 5) technical capacity and
experience in fisheries and natural resources management (UNEP, FAO); 6) institution building and strengthening (World Bank,
UNDP, AsDB); and 7) sustainable development of resources (UNDP, FAO); 8) ability to coordinate UN agencies' work on the
environment at the global and regional level (UNEP); 9) global network of country offices (UNDP), and strong presence in the region
(AsDB).
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PIF Template, August 30, 2007
PART III: APPROVAL/ENDORSEMENT BY GEF OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT(S) AND GEF
AGENCY(IES)
A. RECORD OF ENDORSEMENT OF GEF OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT (S) ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT(S):
(Please attach the country endorsement letter(s) or regional endorsement letter(s) with this template).
Not applicable for global projects
Date: (Month, day, year)
(Enter Name, Position, Ministry)
B. GEF AGENCY(IES) CERTIFICATION
This request has been prepared in accordance with GEF policies and procedures and meets the GEF criteria for project identification and
preparation.
Anna Tengberg &
Andrew Hudson
Project Contact Person
John Hough
UNDP/GEF Deputy Executive Coordinator,
a.i.
Date: 15 February 2008
Tel. and Email:Tel + 66 2 288 2730/
+1 212 906 6228
email: anna.tengberg@undp.org/
andrew.hudson@undp.org
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PIF Template, August 30, 2007