Second LDC Trade Ministers' Meeting
Dhaka, Bangladesh, 31st May - 2nd June 2003
 

Integrated Framework (IF) for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries was approved at the WTO conference in 1996. The objectives of the approach are to enhance trade opportunities for LDCs, to expand its capacities to respond to market demands and to integrate them into the global trading system. This is supported by the International Monetary Fund(IMF), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development(UNCTAD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the World Trade Organization(WTO). See for further information, http://if.wto.org

Global Environment Facility LDC Fund
 

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) helps developing countries fund projects and programs that protect the global environment. Established in 1991, GEF forges international cooperation and finances actions to address six critical threats to the global environment: biodiversity loss, climate change, degradation of international waters, ozone depletion, land degradation, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

The GEF has allocated $4 billion in grants and leveraged an additional $12 billion in co-financing from other sources to support more than 1,000 projects in over 140 developing countries and countries with economies in transition. In August 2002, 32 donor nations pledged nearly $3 billion to fund the work of the GEF for the next four years.
GEF brings together 173 member governments, working in partnership with the private sector, NGOs, and international institutions to address complex environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives.

Assistance to LDCs

In November 2001, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), at its seventh session (COP 7 of the UNFCCC) decided that the least developed countries (LDCs) should be assisted in preparing national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) to address urgent and immediate needs and concerns related to adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change. It also requested the Global Environment Facility (GEF as the entity operating the financial mechanism of the UNFCCC) to provide funding for preparing NAPAs, as the first activity under the LDC fund (Established by decision 7/ CP.7 of the COP of the UNFCCC).

In December 2001, the GEF Council responded to these COP decisions by authorizing GEF support to LDCs for the preparation of NAPAs with anticipated funds from contributions towards the LDC fund (Paragraph 1 S (c) of the Joint summary of the chairs of the GEF Council meeting of December, 2001). These operational guidelines for the funding of NAPAs are intended to assist LDCs to prepare proposals for obtaining GEF funds through an expedited process.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) organized a consultation with select LDCs and members of the LDC Expert Group in Arusha and Tanzania on February 28th and March 1st; 2002, to discuss guidelines for the preparation of NAPAs. During this Consultation the three Implementing Agencies and UNITAR presented their experiences in planning for Adaptation in developing countries.

GEF Grants

Four main categories of GEF grant co-financing are available through the World Bank Group:

• Full-Sized Project funding (GEF grants over US $1 mil);
• Medium-Sized Project funding (GEF grants up to US $1 mil);
• Expedited Enabling Activity grants; and
• Project Preparation Grants.

Full-Sized GEF co-financed projects generally follow the Bank's project cycle and Bank's standard project procedures. Medium-sized projects (MSPs) and Enabling Activity grants up to $450,000 for Biodiversity and Climate Change focal area and up to $500,000 for POPs, follow expedited procedures. GEF Project Preparation Grants procedures have been established for developing projects. There are three categories of project preparation grants: PDF Block A (up to $25,000); PDF Block B (up to $350,000); and Block C (up to $1 million).

For further information on Least Developed Countries Fund, please contact:

Mr. Alan Miller
Team Leader, Climate Changes & Ozone Depletion
Global Environmental Facility
202-473-8324
amiller2@worldbank.org
website: www.gefweb.org

Related documents:

• Operational Guidelines for Expedited Funding for the Preparation of National Adaptation Programs of Action by Least Developed Countries
• Summary of the Consultation of Potential Donors to the LDC Fund
• Arrangements for the Establishment of the New Climate Change Funds

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