Jan 16, 2017

Two different workshops related to Global Environment Facility (GEF) activities in Nepal were organized by IECCD, Ministry of Finance, under GEF Operation Focal Point Support Program.

Two different workshops related to Global Environment Facility (GEF) activities in Nepal were organized by IECCD, Ministry of Finance, under GEF Operation Focal Point Support Program. The first workshop entitled “GEF Stakeholders’ Workshop on Biodiversity” was held on August 8, 20103 and the second entitled “GEF Workshop on Land Degradation and POPs and Chemical” was held on 26 August, 2013.

During the first workshop, Finance Secretary Mr. Shanta Raj Subedi launched GEF Nepal website which can be viewed in the link: http://www.gefnepal.gov.np/ . Speaking in the program, Mr. Subedi expressed that organizing the workshop was an innovative idea and felt need of the hour. He said that proper working strategy is also required for effective implementation of the project activities. He further said that, there is a need for environment projects to adjoin hands with various sectors such as agriculture, water, forestry, local governments and CSOs for a holistic approach of rural development. Speaking about the website he said that the GEF website is definitely a milestone for the concerned agencies working in the field of environment which will help disseminate the overall status of GEF funding in Nepal, technical assistance, GEF projects and their outcomes, best practices and lessons learnt etc. He emphasized that the future projects should be designed based on the best practice and lessons learnt from the implementation of the past projects.

Various presentations and discussions held in both the workshops explored the issues related to GEF funded projects in Nepal and provided further recommendations to make GEF portfolio more meaningful in Nepal. The representatives from different ministries where GEF support has been utilized and the representatives from different GEF implementing agencies were present at the workshop.