Caspian Enviornment Programme

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP)

GEF 3rd Biannual International Waters Conference

June 2005 - Salvador


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.


• 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.


• Achievements so far

• Regional dialogue and cooperation

• Strategy and policy development

• Resource Mobilization


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


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


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.


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


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


• 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


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


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


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


• 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

Caspian Enviornment Programme

Documents

Transcript of Caspian Enviornment Programme