The development goal of the GEF SGP is to secure global environmental benefits in the areas of biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, protection of international waters, prevention of land degradation, and phasing out of persistent organic pollutants through community-based initiatives and action.

The overall objective of this project is to assist eligible countries in building and strengthening national capacity needed to enable access and use of the BCH in order to implement their obligations under the Cartagena Protocol, once it enters into force. This project is proposed as an add-hoc project, to include 89 additional countries, to the current project entitled Building Capacity for Effective Participation in the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) of the Cartagena Protocol, approved by the GEF Council in November, 2003.

This project is an extension of the original project on "Development of National Biosafety Frameworks Project" and aims to assist remaining GEF eligible countries to prepare for the entry into force of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in accordance with the Initial Biosafety Strategy as endorsed by the 16th GEF Council meeting hold on November 2000, taking into account other bilateral and multilateral initiatives.

This is the second phase of a large and complex regional project in the Nile Basin with $90 million plus in co-financing known as the Nile Basin Initiative. The first phase was artificially reduced in the early 2000's because of lack of funding in the GEF. An evaluation was conducted and this second phase submitted for GEF consideration.

The major objectives of this project are: ·To develop and approve at government level a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), as required by CBD Article 6a and in accordance with CoP Decisions II/7, III/9 and III/21; ·To establish and operate an information network through the National Biodiversity Clearinghouse Mechanism (CHM), in accordance with CBD Article 18 and CoP Decisions I/3, II/3, III/4, IV/2, V/14, and VI/18; ·To prepare and submit to the CBD 1st and 2nd National Reports, in accordance with CBD Article 26 and CoP Decisions II/17, III/9, IV/14 and V/19; and ·To

The primary objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of countries to implement an integrated approach to the management of their water resources. There is a clearly identified need to integrate water resources management with other aspects of small island countries environments. The project will therefore assist participating countries in improving water resources management closely connected with other holistic management practices in support of sustainable development such as integrated coastal area management, island systems management, and river basin management.

Objectives: (a) Assessment of training and capacity building specific priority components of the National Biodiversity Action Plan and Strategy in accordance with the GEF Guidelines for Additional Funding of Biodiversity Enabling Activities (Expedited Procedures) issued in February 2000. (b) To establish and operate an information network through the National Biodiversity Clearinghouse Mechanism (CHM), in accordance with CBD Article 18 and CoP Decisions I/3, II/3, III/4, IV/2, V/14, and VI/18.

At CEO endorsement: 16 Feb 2007 The focus of the project will be to build the institutional foundations for Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) development by providing global and regional mechanisms to support national innovators through information sharing, capacity building and training and policy changes. The project has been developed with the involvement of the Katoomba Group which was created by the Forest Trends. The Group was established to explore and build on innovations in ecosystem service markets.

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) was approved by the GEF Council in November 2004 for a one-year replenishment of US$ 47 million. The SGP is now submitting an annual request for the next year to cover the costs of programme activities aimed at meeting the Outcomes found in the approved three year proposal. The proposal presented here comprises a request for the second annual replenishment.