Comments on Revised Brief

Comments on revised brief:

The changes recommended by the GEFSEC on 4 June regarding the consultative process for the Second

Rational Report have been made.

Biodiversity Enabling Activity

Proposal for additional funding

Country:Lebanon

Project Title:Assessment of capacity building needs and country specific priorities in biodiversity

GEF Focal Area:Biological Diversity

Country EligibilityLebanon ratified the CBD in 1994

GEF Financing Phase IUS$154,500 (including CHM)

GEF Financing add-onUS$100,000

Total GEF BudgetUS$254,500

Government Contribution (in kind) US$45,000

Total add-on budgetUS$145,000

GEF Implementing AgencyUNDP

National Executing AgencyMinistry of Environment

GEF Operational Focal PointDr. Berj Hatijian, Director General of the Ministry of Environment

CBD Focal PointMs. Lara Samaha, Ministry of Environment

CHM Focal PointMs. Lara Samaha, Ministry of Environment

Estimated Starting Date1 August 2001

Project Duration 10 Months

I.Status of the Biodiversity Enabling Activity:

In 1995-1996, the Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of the Government of Lebanon completed the first Country Study on Biological Diversity. Nine biodiversity assessment reports were developed and disseminated to relevant ministries, government and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and donor agencies. These reports include 1) species checklist, 2) socio-economic factors affecting biodiversity, 3) terrestrial flora, 4) terrestrial fauna, 5) marine fauna and flora, 6) freshwater fauna and flora, 7) agricultural and livestock habitats, 8) nature reserves, and 9) national capacity and economic evaluation of biodiversity

In 1998, the Ministry of Environment received an initial GEF enabling activity assistance (US$145,000) to complete the First National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. In late 1998, an additional CHM request granted the MoE US$9,500 to enable the staff of the biodiversity Unit to use electronic e-mails and Internet service and to have access to global biodiversity knowledge. The NBSAP, which is the main outcome of the biodiversity enabling project, was completed in early 1999 and was distributed to all relevant government departments and ministries, NGO stakeholders, key individuals and academic institutions for information dissemination and consultation. , In late 1999, the NBSAP was endorsed by National Biodiversity Steering Committee on behalf of the Government of Lebanon.

The main outcomes/outputs of the biodiversity-enabling project in addition to the NBSAP document include:

1)Establishment of a multi-sectoral national steering committee on biodiversity;

2)Biodiversity stocktaking and assessment reports completed based on existing knowledge;

3)Extensive dialogue and consultations conducted with various stakeholders to identify and analyze options for biodiversity conservation;

4)A first national report completed and submitted to the CoP/CBD;

5)Public awareness and participation actively promoted through various tools and activities:

establishment of a web-site (net:http//
production of a TV spot expressing importance of national biological heritage,
preparation of posters (2000 copies) representing cycle of life with Arabic and English sub-titles,
preparation and distribution of pamphlets (800) covering information on key plant and animal species,
distribution of caps, pads and folders carrying biodiversity identifications to workshop participants,
organization of two national workshops and 4 provincial in different regions of the country with a total participation of 500 individuals, and dissemination of proceedings of workshops (110 English copies, 400 Arabic copies) to participants and interested individuals and institutions

II.Objectives

The overall objective of the add-on is to assist the Ministry of Environment in further assessing national capacity building needs, identify specific priorities, analyzing institutional and functional capabilities and determining mechanisms necessary to protect national biodiversity in accordance with the NBSAP recommendations, and the GEF and CoP/CBD guidelines.

The add-on assistance also will enable the MoE undertake the consultative process required for the Second National Report and submission of the report as per decision V/19 of the CoP/CBD. Though the May deadline for submission of the report to the COP has been missed, the report will be submitted at the earliest instance possible.

III.Priorities for Capacity Building Needs

Three add-on priorities have been selected from within the BSAP recommendations through a collaborative process involving the BSAP coordination team, MoE, the biodiversity Steering Committee, the CBD-CHM Focal Point, and UNDP. These priorities amongst many others were previously discussed/negotiated at several provincial meetings and were presented at the second national BSAP workshop held in late 1998. UNDP-GEF had assisted the national coordination team in the final selection of the three priorities.

1.Assess needs, identify priorities and build consensus on the Implementation of measures for in situ and ex situ conservation and sustainable use through development and promotion of sustainable eco-tourism

The NBSAP clearly identified sustainable development of eco-tourism as an essential component of national efforts aimed at covering recurrent and long-term costs of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Several options have been put forth by the NBSAP with the aim to integrating biological conservation with sustainable development of the eco-tourist sector. These included highlighting traditional and artistic significance of the sea and the coastal zone ecosystem by encouraging non-destructive and biodiversity friendly activities and marine oriented traditional industries. Also, enhancing concepts of integrated village system by developing traditional alternative livelihood, and establishing an eco-tourism oriented network of nature reserves in major eco-geographic areas promoting conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Having clearly identified its priority objectives, the biodiversity strategy and action plan relatively fell short in identifying the type and level of capacity building measures and tools needed to ensure conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity through effective and well-regulated eco-tourism. This add-on proposal will complement the NBSAP by allowing a working group of national and international experts to brainstorm with relevant stakeholders to reach consensus on specific capacity building needs, responsibility sharing, training, financing mechanisms and funding management promoting sustainable and biodiversity friendly eco-tourism.

The WG will meet with all various stakeholder groups starting from the Ministries of Environment and Tourism, the private sector, the NGO community, the BSAP Steering Committee to compile an assessment report and an action plan outlining options, strategies and actions responding to capacity building constraints hindering sustainable eco-tourism. The kind of capacity development activities, effective legislation requirements, roles and responsibilities of stakeholder groups, human resources, training and awareness needed to ensure sustainable eco-tourism will be suggested. A national workshop will be convened towards the end of the project to present the WG participatory approach in reaching national consensus on the issue and to discuss the WG outcomes and recommendations.

2: Assess capacity building needs necessary to evaluate and mitigate specific threats to components of biological diversity in Lebanon

The NBSAP during the course of stocktaking had identified several anthropogenic, economic and developmental pressures and activities standing against biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Many issues such as hunting, overgrazing, excessive herb collection amongst others have not been adequately tackled due to lack of capacity building and responsibility sharing, ineffective legislation and unregulated enforcement. The NBSAP has urged the relevant agencies to place special consideration to biodiversity protection through effective regulation of the use of biodiversity and the natural ecosystems they are part of. Dynamic efforts by the Ministry of Environment, and many other governmental and non-governmental agencies have led to the revision of several legislature related to biodiversity conservation. The preparation of fundamental guidelines especially related to environmental impact assessment and environmental monitoring have been accomplished, however legal framework capacity relevant to mitigating specific threats to biological diversity is still ad hoc and requires further assessment.

The add-on request will build on the NBSAP and the BCS recommendations by allowing the establishment of a working group of biodiversity experts to undertake a participatory approach involving all relevant stakeholders, representatives from various sectors and actors with impact on biodiversity to articulate an assessment report and a work plan specifically identifying capacity building requirements needed to mitigate threats affecting native and globally important bioloigical diversity.

A national workshop culminating the efforts of the working group will be convened towards the end of the project to present/discuss outcomes and recommendations. The WG report and work plan will be incorporated into the overall capacity building report summarizing the requirements and capacity building needed for effective biodiversity legislation, responsibility sharing between relevant stakeholders, mechanisms for community involvement, financial mechanism and fund management.

3.Assessment of capacity building needs to improve coordination between national institutions and scientists and determine national taxonomic priorities

During its preparation, the team of the Country Study on Biodiversity (1995-1996) was successful in involving a large number of national scientists and experts working in taxonomy. This group effort culminated in the production of a species checklist for the country. In its recommendations, however, the NBSAP has emphasized the need for taxonomists in various biological fields. In light of the fact that the number of taxonomists world wide is relatively limited and that many of biodiversity conservation activities require interdisciplinary teams of expert, Lebanon is at a stage where there is a need to evaluate capacity building needs and scientific expertise in fields related to biodiversity. The add-on will aim to address this need by establishing a working group of experts to undertake a training-needs assessment with the aim of improving national taxonomic capacities in all fields related to biodiversity conservation. Such an assessment also will enable Lebanon to identify priorities for formalizing collaboration between national, regional, and/or international institutions.

An action plan summarizing an assessment report will be the main output of this activity. Priorities envisioned to address the issue include identifying resources to enhance availability of taxonomic information, identifying key regional and international institutions to establish collaborations and partnership in taxonomic activities, assessing current infrastructure for national taxonomic collections, promoting coordination between various institutions, and designating a national reference center in taxonomy related fields. A national workshop will be convened towards the end of the project to present the WG approach in reaching national consensus on the issue and to discuss WG outcomes and recommendations.

Consultation Towards the Second National Report to the CBD.

Consultations will be undertaken with stakeholder ministries, government agencies, community groups and NGOs. A wrap-up workshop will be held to present and adopt the Second National Report prior to CBD submission.

IV.Coverage without duplication

The present project will be based on existing information and priorities established by the NBSAP. In addition, there are a number of activities underway in the country, which complement the proposed Capacity Building Needs Assessment:

The ‘Code de l' Environment’ Law Project. Implementing Agency: World Bank. The law has been drafted and has been submitted to the Council of Ministers and is currently waiting of endorsement in the House of Representative.
Develop an environmental monitoring program for pollutants and other bio-indicators to identify hot spots and land-based sources of pollution. LEDO (Lebanese Environment and Development Obseratory) Supported by UNDP/EU. Implementing Agency: Ministry of Environment.
Protected Areas Project. 1996-2001. Supported by UNDP/GEF. Implementing Agency: Ministry of Environment.

Develop guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment and establish an EIA unit at the Ministry of Environment. Supported by World Bank. Implementing Agency: Ministry of Environment (UPP: Unit of Planning and Programming).

Dryland Agrobiodiversity Project. 1999-2004. Support by UNDP/GEF. Implementing Agency Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute. Regional project.
Darwin Project in Coastal Vegetation Survey and Conservation for Lebanon. 1999-2002. Supported by the Darwin Initiative, UK. Implementing Agency: American University of Beirut and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
Protected Areas Law Project. Ministry of Environment. The law has been drafted and tabled with the Council of Ministers.
Updating of the Lebanese Hunting Law Project. Ministry of Environment. A proposed new law has been drafted to replace the law of 18/6/ 1952 and tabled with the Council of Ministers.
A National Action Plan and Strategy Framework for Sustainable Tourism Development in Lebanon has been completed. This project was support by UNEP. Implementing Agency: Coordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan. Endorsed by the Ministries of Environment and Tourism.

Projects in preparation

Conservation of Wetlands and Coastal Zones in the Mediterranean. Supported by UNDP/FFEM. Implementing Agency Ministry of Environment. Regional project.
Small Grant Program. Supported by UNDP/GEF. Implementing Agency: UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment.
Conservation and sustainable management of globally significant bird habitats in the East Palearctic-West Arabian Flyway. Supported by UNDP/GEF. Implementing Agency: NGO (Association for Nature conservation) under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment. Regional project.
Strategic Action Plan for the integrated management of the international watershed of Al-Kabeer river. Supported by UNDP/GEF. Implementing Agency: Ministry of Electrical and Water resources. Bilateral project involving Syria and Lebanon.
Biodiversity conservation in Akkar. Supported by UNDP/GEF. Implementing Agency: Ministry of Agriculture.
Biodiversity conservation generation through sustainable use of natural resources at Yammouneh. Supported by WB/GEF. Implementing Agency: Ministry of Environment.
Addressing the insect infestation of the Tannourine-Hadath El Jebbeh Cedar Forests. Supported by UNEP/GEF. Implementing Agency: Ministry of Environment.

V.Institutional Framework and Project Implementation

Responsibility for the execution of the add-on request including the consultations for the second national report and the assessment of capacity building needs and the reporting to the UNDP/GEF will rest within the Ministry of Environment.

Under the supervision and overall planning of the Ministry of the Environment, the National Steering Committee will be expanded to include members from key governmental institutions that are responsible for environmental management (Agriculture, Urban planning, Municipalities, Mohafaza, Caza, CDR, Roads and Planning, Council of Grand Project, Ministry of Transportation, Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of housing, Ministry of Hydraulic and electrical resources, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of urban affairs, Ministry of Public works, Ministry of industry and Petroleum). The National Steering

Committee will also include members from local NGOs, universities, research institutions, and the private sector. The National Steering Committee will advise, guide and provide contact and information to the project task force, which will enable the latter to efficiently gather information and opinions from the various sectors of the country.

The enabling project coordination unit, which is still operational within the Ministry of Environment, will continue to serve project implementation and daily operations.

UNDP CO in Beirut will provide overall technical and administrative backstopping to the project, and will monitor project implementation as per regular UNDP rules and procedures.

An Add-on Project Coordinator will be recruited at the onset of the project to be responsible for the daily management and coordination of project activities including organization of meetings and workshops, synthesizing assessment reports and work plans to the government for endorsement. The project Coordinator will ensure incorporation of add-on results, outcomes and reports into a final report.

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, three working groups will be established mainly from the PIU, national consultants, regional or international experts and where relevant members from the Steering Committee. The Project Coordinator will prepare ToRs for all working groups and consultants to be recruited by the project and will elaborate detailed work plans for implementation.

The Implementing Agency and the GEF focal point in Lebanon have satisfied themselves that the proposal for additional funding complies with the Operational Criteria for the expedited financing of biodiversity enabling activities.

Table 1.Priorities for capacity building needs

Priority

Reasons for Priority

Work to be done

Product expected

Notes

Assess needs, identify priorities and build consensus on the implementation of measures for in situ and ex situ conservation and sustainable use through development and promotion of sustainable eco-tourism / Emerging national needs for effective protection of habitats through incorporating actions promoting sustainable eco-tourism / A team of national experts will undertake participatory evaluation to reach a national consensus with respect to responsibility sharing, awareness raising, community involvement, financing mechanisms and fund management / An assessment report and a work plan outlining options, strategies and actions responding to capacity building gaps in sustainable eco-tourism including training needs assessment, human resources, awareness raising, costing and budgeting, and responsibility sharing / - Develop joint strategies with the Ministry of Tourism to formally integrate eco-tourism in the tourist sector of the country
- In kind MoE contribution is expected in the amount of $15,000
Assessment of capacity building needs necessary to evaluate and mitigate specific threats to components of biological diversity in Lebanon / Several components of biodiversity are threatened by various socio-economic and development pressures. Ad hoc capacity for mitigating threats and for enforcement measures. / WG established to reach consensus with respect to identification of capacity building needs especially in legislation and legal frameworks, responsibility sharing, training needed, financing mechanism, and fund management to be allocated for this activity. / An assessment report and a work plan outlining capacity building needs for legislation, policy on responsibility sharing, training needs, awareness, detailed costing and budgeting. / - Government policy should address causes for lack of law enforcement.
- Need to expand and institutionalize the national steering committee to address the issue in question.
- In kind MoE contribution $15,000
Assessment of capacity building needs to improve coordination between national institutions and scientists and determine national taxonomic priorities / Weak institutional capacity in fields related to taxonomy and biodiversity information management. / WG to assess capacity and prepare recommendations on capacity building needsin taxonomy and taxonomic information management, identify key institutions to establish partnership in taxonomic activities, assess current infrastructure for national taxonomic collections, coordinate between various national institutions to designate a national reference center, and assess training in taxonomic related fields. / An assessment report outlining capacity building needs in training, storing and exchange of national taxonomic information, detailed proposal for bilateral, and multilateral agreements with regional and international taxonomic institutions, costing and budgeting proposals on infrastructure needed to designate national taxonomic centers in biodiversity in Lebanon. / In kind MoE contribution $15,000