Representing 538 civil society organisations, the GEF CSO Network is pleased to be with you at the 6^th GEF Assembly and make this intervention.

GEF CSO Network, and a wide representation of CSOs, actively participated in the Assembly process including in the CSO Forum which was jointly organized by the GEF CSO Network, the GEF Secretariat, the GEF Small Grants Program, the GEF Indigenous Advisory Group and the support of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This brought together over 120 representatives of civil society organizations and indigenous peoples groups from 55 countries. Under the overall objective Partnerships for Transformative Change: Civil Society’s Contribution to Transforming Systems to Safeguard the Future of Our planet, the Forum showcased best practices and new approaches for CSO involvement in GEF processes and focal areas.

The GEF CSO Network welcomes the results of the Negotiations of the Seventh Replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund and proposes active partnerships with CSOs for its implementation.

We congratulate the GEF Small Grants Programme on its 25^th anniversary: Actions by CSOs through SGP have been recognised as an outstanding success – Small Grants – Big Impacts.

Like most of the delegates here, the GEF CSO Network is concerned with the continuing deterioration of the health of the planet as well as the reduced allocation for GEF-7.

Recognising the expertise, experience and competencies of CSOs, their further involvement will have a positive impact on GEF-7 targets. The GEF CSO Network commits to collaborate with civil society groups and other members of the GEF Family to achieve the overall GEF-7 goals through effective and inclusive partnership.

We propose for GEF-7 strategy to give higher priority to incorporating innovative mechanisms such as circular economy, with the involvement of CSOs which have in-house expertise in these areas.

 

We make the following recommendations:

1. Partnerships between GEF and Civil Society Organizations are key to achieving the ambitious targets of GEF-7 and related policies. GEF including GEF Secretariat, Agencies, CSOs and OFPs need to implement the new Stakeholder Engagement and Gender Equality Policies as soon as possible including allocation of necessary resources and support for promotion and strengthening capacity.
2. We call for GEF to make better use of the skills and knowledge of CSOs in environmental stewardship and also invest further in strengthening the mechanisms and capacity of CSOs in recipient countries to engage effectively in the implementation and monitoring of GEF processes and projects.
3. We propose that CSO Network and SGP work together with GEF Operational Focal Points, GEF agencies and other stakeholders to establish multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms to build more trust and collaborative approaches to address environmental issues and GEF-related issues, specifically gender and stakeholder policy requirements, and enhance transparency and good governance.
4. Recognising the strengths of the CSOs as demonstrated through SGP, we call on GEF Agencies and Operational Focal Points to facilitate greater engagement of CSOs in medium and full-size GEF projects.

5. We call on the GEF to further support the GEF CSO Network in: contributing to achievement of the GEF 7 targets; enhancing the engagement of civil society at national, regional and global levels and to implement the Network’s revised Strategic Plan 2018-2022.
6. GEF is urged to fully commit to the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples’ Principles and Guidelines by: establishing an outreach and capacity building programme, enhancing operations of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group (IPAG); establishing a dedicated financial mechanism for indigenous peoples; as well as recognizing the rights of these peoples to participate and to be consulted (including Provision of Free Prior and informed Consent (FPIC).

The report and full recommendations of the CSO Forum will be made available soon.

Finally we would like to thank the Government and people of Vietnam for their warm hospitality.

Thank you very much for your attention.

 

Nota 1:  más información sobre el GEF www.thegef.org