Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

GEF 3rd Biannual International Waters Conference

June 2005 - Salvador

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

General information

• CEP started in 1998 born out of a regional desire for environmental cooperation for protection of the caspian Sea

• CEP is an inter-governmental umbrella environmental programme of the five Caspian littoral countries.

• CEP is supported by International Partners including EU/Tacis, GEF, World Bank, UNEP and UNDP.

• CEP also supported by other international agencies and by the industry.

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

• Overarching Goal

• The overarching goal of the CEP is to safeguard the environment of the Caspian Sea for sustainable utilization of its natural resources for the well being of population.

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

• Achievements so far

• Regional dialogue and cooperation

• Strategy and policy development

• Resource Mobilization

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

Regional dialogue and cooperation

• A regional environmental coordination structure put in place that includes :

- Steering Committee, - a Programme Coordination Unit, - National Focal Points - Regional Thematic Advisory Groups - Public Participation Advisors

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

Regional dialogue and cooperation

• Framework Convention for the Protection of the Maritime Environment of the Caspian Sea (FC) agreed and signed in Tehran in November 2003 by all .

• Turkmenistan has already ratified FC . Russia has completed acceptance process. I.R Iran ratification almost completed . KZ and AZ expected to ratify before end of summer. First Conference of Parties expected mid-late 2005.

• Four Protocols are being developed during next two years, namely LBS, EIA, Biodiversity and Emergence Response. Additionally a Data and Information Exchange Agreement and a Regional Agreement of Introduction of Species are targeted

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

Strategy and policy development

• A Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) developed based on extensive analytical and research work;

• Five National Caspian Actions Plans developed and nationally endorsed; NCAPS now under implementation.

• Strategic Action Programme (SAP) developed and agreed to as a document for voluntary guidance of the countries and the International partners. It includes targets, interventions and success indicators.

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

SAP• SAP is worth $ 170 for five years to implement .

• SAP identifies four major areas of environmental concerns namely - unsustainable use of Bioresources;- threat to biodiversity including those from invasive species; - pollution and - unsustainable coastal area development

• SAP pursues five major Environmental Quality Objectives namely- Conservation and sustainable use of Bioresources- conservation of Caspian biodiversity- Improved water quality of the Caspian- Sustainable development of the coastal zones- Strengthened stakeholders participation

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

Resource Mobilization:

• During first phase of CEP activities up to 2003 some $ 14 millions were provided by the International Partners which included over $ 5 millions from EU/Tacis and $ 8.5 from Global Environment Facility through World Bank, UNDP, and UNEP.This is in addition to in kind support of the littoral countries.

• During second phase EU/Tacis is providing over $ 6 millions, GEF is providing some $ 6 millions. Assistance is focused on SAP areas of concerns.

• Industry has provided over $ 400 thousands worth of support. We expect additional support

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

• Resources Mobilization efforts led by World Bank

• Matched Small Grants : close to 1 Million awarded on matching basis to 16 small investments projects

• A number of Priority Investment Projects identified

• Investment Forum organized

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

Our vision for Caspian Future

• Enhanced regional ownership & the integration of the CEP and the Framework Convention processes:

• Establishment of a financially and professionally enabled Convention Secretariat

• An institutional structure that has ‘an incentive for involvement’ for all the countries

• Integration of CEP within the Secretariat

• Well defined interactions between Secretariat and projects funded by international partners

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

Our vision for Caspian Future

• Evolution of the SAP into the Convention Action Plan & Focus on SAP implementation

– Revisit /update NCAPs , TDA and SAP/Action Plan

– Press for adoption of Action Plan

• Continued resource mobilization efforts, in particular national resources &close partnership with industry

• emphasis on public participation

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

Challenges & barriers

• Low priority attached to environment protection

• Formalism: inadequate attention to monitoring implemtataion

• Poor inter sectoral coordination

• Huge unsatisfied social and economic demands

• Regional conflicts and mistrust

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

• How to overcome and assist?

• Go to higher level of govt

• Keep an informed dialogue going

• Tie economic and political partnership to environmental action

• Invest in capacity building, in particular in environmental economic approach to environment management

• Get serious in compliance evaluation & monitoring