Developing National GEF Strategies and Setting Priorities

Experience of Thailand

Sub-Regional Workshop for GEF Focal Points in East and South East Asia; Bangkok, Thailand, 2-3 April 2007

Dr. Ampan Pintukanok, Director, The Office of International Cooperation on Natural Resources and Environment, MONRE

Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment

Cluster on General Administration

Cluster on Environment

Office of the Permanent Secretary

Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning

Pollution Control Dept.

Dept. of Environmental Quality Promotion

National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Dept.

Dept. of Mineral Resources

Cluster on Natural Resources

Cluster on Inland Waters

Dept. of Marine & Coastal Resources

Royal Forestry Dept.

Dept. of Water Resources

Dept. of Groundwater Resources

Sectoral Policy Documents

• NBSAP• National Climate Change Strategy (draft)• National Action Plan for Desertification

• National Implementation Plan for POPs (draft)

10th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2007-2011)

Five strategies:• Human and social development• Build strong communities • National economy• Environmental issues• Good governance

Sufficiency Economy

Based on the following principles:

Moderation

Reasonableness

Self-immunity

To apply these, two conditions are necessary:

Knowledge

Integrity

Role of the GEF

1. Demonstrating the application of the principles of the Sufficiency Economy in the field of environmental management (GEF funds serving as “seed” money); and

2. Assisting Thailand to disseminate lessons to other developing countries faced with similarly inappropriate development paths

Process

• Invitation to submit project concepts

• Circulated to concerned agencies and Convention Focal Points for comments

• Sent to GEF agency, based on comparative advantage, for comments of conformity with country programme

• Meeting of International Affairs Committee to prepare recommendation

Constraints and limitations

• Many priorities and many ideas, so difficult to prioritize

• Capacity constraints in implementing the RAF

• Rapidly changing GEF policy, processes and templates

Thank you