Agency’s Project ID:
GEFSEC Project ID:
Country: DPR Korea
Country Eligibility: DPR Korea ratified the CBD in October 29, 1994
Project Title: Updating of NBSAP, Preparation of 2nd National Reports, and Establishment of a National Clearing House Mechanism (CHM)
GEF Agency: UNEP
National Executing Agency: National Coordinating Committee for Environment
CBD OFP: Ri Hyong Chol
Duration: 18 months
GEF Focal Area: Biodiversity
GEF Operational Program: Enabling Activities (OP1-4, 13)
GEF Strategic Priority: CB-1
Estimated Starting Date: July, 2005
Financing Plan (US$)GEF Project/Component
Project (add-on)* / 130,000
Sub-Total GEF
/ 130,000Co-financing
GEF Agency / 0National Contribution / 75,000
Others / 0
Sub-Total Co-financing: / 75,000
Total Project Financing: / 205,000
* indicate below amount and date of originally approved Enabling Activity
Date: 13/01/19973rd National Report 2005 / 299,250
20,000
This proposal has been prepared in accordance with GEF policies and procedures and meets the standards of the GEF Project Review Criteria for Biodiversity Enabling Activity approval.
IA/ExA Coordinator
Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf
Assistant Executive Director, UNEP / UNEP Contact Person:
Esther Mwangi,
UNEP/GEF Biodiversity Enabling Activities
e-mail:
Tel: +254-20-623717
Date:
Biodiversity Enabling Activity
Proposal for Additional GEF Funding (Add-on)
Biodiversity enabling activity add-on proposal
BACKGROU
Enabling Activi
Record of endorsement on behalf of the Government:
Secretary General NCCE Ri Hung Sik, / December 14, 2004CBD /CBD NFP Ri Hyong Chol, NCCE, DPRK / June 10, 2005
GEF NFP Ri Hyong Chol, NCCE, DPRK / June 13, 2005
CBD / Convention on Biological Diversity
CHM / Clearing House Mechanism
COP / Conference of the Parties
DPRK / The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
EA / Enabling Activities
GEF/OFP / Global Environment Facility/Operational Focal Point
IA/ExA / Implementing Agency/Executing Agency
KNCU / Korea Nature Conservation Union
MEAs / Multilateral Environment Agreements
NBSAP / National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
NCCE / National Coordinating Committee for the Environment
NCSA / National Capacity needs Self-Assessment
NGOs / Non Governmental Organizations
NR / National Report
OFP / GEF Operational Focal Point
OP / Operational Program
SPC / State Planning Commission
TORs / Terms of Reference
UNCBD / United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
UNCCD / United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNDP / United Nations Environment Programme
UNEP / United Nations Development Programme
UNEP/DGEF / UNEP Division of GEF Coordination
UNFCCC / United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Enabling Activity Status
1. DPR Korea ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Oct. 1994. In 1998, as a first step to implement its commitment to the CBD, DPR Korea implemented a GEF biodiversity enabling activity for the preparation of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to identify priorities for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The primary products of this project were a NBSAP[1] and First National Report[2], which were approved by the Government of DPR Korea in early 1999 and submitted to the CBD Secretariat in Aug. 2000.
2. The NBSAP outlined strategic approaches required to meet the priorities for conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity, and benefit sharing, in order to ensure protection of genetic, species and ecosystem diversity in DPR Korea, and to implement the obligations of DPR Korea as a Party to Convention of Biological Diversity.
Biodiversity Conservation Projects undertaken in DPR Korea
3. In order to implement the NBSAP, a number of projects have been prepared and implemented, aiming at ensuring efficient management of bio-resources in the protected areas. The main focus of these projects is improvement of knowledge of biodiversity, and better involvement of local people in biodiversity conservation. These projects include the following:
a) Conservation of Biodiversity at Mt. Myohyang (GEF/UNDP-completed) This project has improved the capacity for sustainable management of ecosystem at Mt. Myohyang. The project covered the establishment of information collection and management system, development of management plan for Mt. Myohyang protected area, and public awareness targeted to local residents as well as visitors.
b) Coastal Biodiversity Management in DPR Korea’s West Sea (GEF/UNDP-in initial stage of implementation). This project will build on the national priorities by taking a comprehensive approach to appraising the value of biodiversity of global importance along the coastline of the Gulf of West Korea, and developing a strategic, ecosystem-level approach to biodiversity management, focusing on development and implementation of an integrated coastal zone management plan for South Pyongan Province, and including biodiversity management and protection efforts at the Mundok MBWR on the Chongchan Estuary.
c) Development of National Biosafety Framework in DPR Korea (GEF/UNEP-completed). This project has assisted the DPR Korea to develop a biosafety framework including regulatory and administrative regime, aiming at ensuring safe use, transfer and handling of LMOs resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on conservation and sustainable use of Biological diversity. The project also took into account risks to human health, and specifically focusing on trans-boundary movement.
d) Management of Mt. Paekdu Biosphere Reserve. (not funded) This project aims to work out and implement protection and management programme for the ecosystem of Mt. Paekdu Biosphere Reserve which is registered as an international biosphere reserve.
e) Publication of "Red Data Book" and Protection of Endangered and Rare Species. (Publication of Red Data Book-completed). This project will strengthen protection of endangered, rare and endemic species including Sansam (Panx schinsing), Keumgangchorong (Keumkangsania asiatica), Black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor), Red-crowned crane (Grus japonesis), white-naped crane (Grus vipio), and hooded crane (Grus monacha) Nemorphedus goral (Amur goral), and the alpine endemic plant, Rheum corean.
f) Coastal Biodiversity Management in DPR Korea’s West Sea
The GEF approved the MSP project “Coastal Biodiversity Management in DPR Korea’s West Sea” with the objective of developing and implementing integrated coastal zone management plans for the area, and developing in parallel the national and provincial institutional capacities to adopt ecosystem approach to biodiversity conservation.
g) National Capacity needs Self-Assessment (NCSA)
UNEP is supporting DPR Korea to implement the National Capacity needs Self-Assessment (NCSA) project number GF-2740-04 4782, worth US$200,000. The main objective is identifying priority capacity building needs in DPR Korea in order to address global environmental issues. The assessment is focused on the three thematic areas of climate change, biological diversity and land degradation, and will also explore synergies between these thematic areas and with other related national sustainable development areas. A comparison of the work covered in the NCSA project and activities proposed in this project is found below in paragraph number 20 of this document. Likewise, Paragraph number 21 below contains an explanation on measures to be taken in order to mitigate repetition between the NCSA and this project.
Reinforcement of Regulatory regime
4. Since the finalization of NBSAP, DPR Korea has taken comprehensive approaches focusing on policy framework, regulatory and institutional regime, management planning for adequate scientific management of ecosystem, in order to prevent the degradation of ecosystems. Even before the NBSAP, there were some 12 different rules, laws or legal enactments and specific measures adopted in respect of ecosystem protection are as follows:
a) Rules on protection management and controlling of coastal area - 1990
b) The forestry law was adapted in 11 December 1992.
c) Law on city management – 1992
d) Rules on management of rivers and streams – 1993
e) Rules on management of park and pleasure ground – 1993
f) DPR Korea ratified the CBD convention in 1994, and soon after prepared an Agenda 21
Action Plan with a focus on biodiversity conservation, following the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992.
g) The Cabinet decision No. 25 of August 1995 called for the implementation of 10-year
afforestation plan.
h) Law on Marion Products - 1995
i) Law on Water Resources - 1997
j) Law on Marine Pollutant Control - 1997
k) Rules on formation, protection and controlling of marine resource - 1997
l) Government order on afforestation and gardening of whole country - 1998.
The Law of Environmental protection
- In April 1998, DPR Korea issued the “Law on Environmental Protection” which guides the protection and management of all components of the natural environment, namely, water, soil, atmosphere, flora, fauna, and ecosystems. In September of the same year, the constitution was revised, and article 57 of the revised constitution further indicates that national affair on environmental conservation should be intensified.
Recent government regulations pertaining to better Biodiversity Conservation
- More recently, emanating from the work done through enabling activities to ground some articles in the MEAs, the government of DPR Korea has issued four new regulations namely:
a) “The Regulations on the Registration of agricultural plant species (interim)” Oct.6 2003
b) “The Regulations on Safe Management of GMOs (interim)” Oct.21 2003
c) “The Regulations on the Registration of Forestry Plant Species (interim)” Jun.21 2004
d) The Cabinet issued Order No.1263; to extend the total protected areas from 5 to 12 percent of the country’s whole territory.
Integration of biodiversity conservation planning into the country programme
7. Studies on biodiversity in key areas have been integrated into 5-year State Plan for Development of Science & Technology (2003-2007). This is a focal task for the inventory of bio-resources and assessment of biodiversity that involves many institutions in DPR Korea. The 10-year plan for reforestation is now under implementation to promote the rehabilitation of degraded forest ecosystems. In order to prevent further degradation of ecosystems, and to improve agricultural production, the Government is promoting key programs, including a farm-land realignment program, river improvements, management of mountain ecosystems, reforestation, plus “gardening” of the whole territorial land, and the creation of pastures.
Other specific measures
8. The above-mentioned actions have contributed to conservation of biodiversity in the country, including the protected areas and have strengthened regulatory and institutional mechanism for efficient management of ecosystems, as well as promoting public awareness about the need for sustainable use of biodiversity. These efforts need to be maintained and enhanced to ensure their positive impacts on environment protection. The government has undertaken other specific measures to this end inter alia:
· Mt. Kuwol Nature Reserve was declared as an International Biosphere Reserve in October 2004[3].
· Creation of local experts on biodiversity through training. A biodiversity database was created using the GIS technique.
· Establishment of demonstration areas for improvement of agro-ecosystems.
Institutional Background for Biodiversity Management
- The National Coordinating Committee for Environment (NCCE) of DPR Korea is a coordinating organ which discusses all the national, regional and global environmental management issues pertaining to the improvement and strengthening environmental protection, and takes necessary follow-up measures. The NCCE has representation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Land and Environment Protection, Academy of Sciences, State Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and the concerning parties. It coordinates and controls all the activities in the field of environmental management on behalf of the Government of DPR Korea.
Other institutions relevant for biodiversity conservation discussions
10. Apart from the NCCE, other institutions relevant to the biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use, and which normally participate in consultations are the local authorities and non government organizations (NGOs) such as Korean Natural Conservation Union (KNCU), Korean General Federation for Science and Technology. Academic institutions include Biological Society, Zoological Society, Botanical Society and Environment Protection Union. Although these institutions have been participating in various meetings for evaluation and control of potential risks of flora and fauna, including planning for issues relating to state policy on management of natural resources, there is still a need to better mainstream the planning on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into the other economic sectors in accordance with CBD Article 6b.
Involvement of representatives from indigenous communities
11. For this project, consultations will also be done with representatives from indigenous groups and local communities. This is necessary because the project will address the area of innovations and traditional knowledge that is currently held by indigenous and local communities.
Justification for the present project
12. The NBSAP identified twenty priorities to intensify the capacity for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. However, implementation of the strategies identified in the NBSAP cannot happen unless DPR Korea has the right capacity. The first step therefore is to do an assessment of that capacity. A country study of the specific priorities and the existing capacity building needs for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use was not conducted in DPR Korea due to constraints of human and material resources. This gap is being addressed through an on going NCSA project. The current project will therefore concentrate on updating the NBSAP, with some assessment of needs, where extra work will be recommended after looking at the NCSA report. There have been a lot of changes concerning the biodiversity since finalization of the NBSAP, but lack of further survey and monitoring on a regular basis did not allow sufficient information on the effect of these changes to be collected. This project will seek to close all the gaps.
13. Secondly, a National biodiversity Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) has not yet been established in DPR Korea. At present, a lot of relevant agencies and institutions are involved in the activities concerning conservation of biodiversity and the number of participants is increasing day by day. However, liaison between them is weak and synergistic issues are not handled at a high level because of lack of national network mechanism on biodiversity[4].
14. Establishment of a biodiversity information exchange mechanism is urgently needed in order to achieve the main objectives of NBSAP, and implementing its obligations of CBD. One of the main objectives of the proposed project for CHM is to build up a national network for biodiversity information exchange. In the initial stage of the project implementation, a key task is to setup a Working Group for evaluation of existing institutional, human resources and information set up.
15. Thirdly, the First National Report was prepared with a special focus on the Article 6 of Convention. Preparation of a Second National Report is overdue, and will be done through this project. This will further keep up the consultation processes at the national and local levels and assist the DPR Korea to fulfil its obligations to the CBD.