Environment and Energy

Climate Change Interventions in the Arab States Region

Use of SURF networks for knowledge transfer and validation of adaptation and climate change strategies: The climate change programme at BDP made extensive use of the SURF-LAC and RBAS email networks to provide updated information and obtain constructive feedback reflecting the needs of the region on climate change issues. Documents such as Poverty and Climate Change: Reducing the Vulnerability of the Poor through Adaptation and the UNDP CDM Manual were circulated to RBAS environment and energy focal points through various SURF networks, thus enriching the knowledge base of the country offices in the region on climate change topics, creating a forum for obtaining substantive feedback on such documents, and in general ensuring that the demands and interest of the region on adaptation and mitigation are adequately reflected.

Climate Change Capacity Development Workshop for RBAS region - BDP in partnership with RBAS and participating COs in the region - Beirut,: 20 January 2003 - This 1-day regional workshop on climate change adaptation and mitigation was part of the UNDP Energy and Environment Practice Area Workshop for Country Office (CO) Programme Officers in the RBAS region. The workshop aimed to strengthen awareness of climate change as a cross-cutting issue of sustainable development, provide updated information on climate change negotiations and mechanisms, and to engage Energy and Environment focal points in brainstorming appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies that would meet the demand and interest of the region.

Support Services Provided to Country Offices in the Region

Proposal by The Royal Government of Morocco for the use of the balance resources in the Trust Fund -MOR/01/G01/ML/99. 3 October, 2003. BDP, in collaboration with the UNDP Morocco has submitted a proposal to all 10 donor countries (mentioned above) to use the balance funds in the Morocco Trust Fund. Following the successful completion of COP7 and COP8, Morocco is keen to capitalize on the achievements of its COP7 Presidency and sustain the momentum at national and international levels to uphold measures to implement the decisions taken. Additionally, in its current capacity as the chair of the G77/China, the Moroccan Government is in a position to play a leading role in moving the agenda of the ninth Conference of Parties (COP9) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) forward. The proposed activities will further the outcome achieved at COP7 and also provide insights to link national and regional actions to global mandate provided by the UNFCCC and the Kyoto protocol.

UNDP Trust Fund for support to the Government of Morocco for the Organization of the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP7) to UNFCCC - MOR/01/G01/ML/99- In collaboration with the Government of Morocco, BDP worked to mobilize financial resources to ensure successful organization of COP7. Financial contributions in the amount of US$ 730,878 were received from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Kuwait, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Organized As part of the pre COP7 activities different capacity development workshops to strengthen the negotiations capacity of the respective negotiators were organized. The workshops while providing an overall perspective of the international climate change negotiations also provided an opportunity to discuss climate change as a component of overall national sustainable development strategies. A communication strategy was formulated in consultation with the UNFCCC Secretariat, and Communications Department and Environment Department of the RGM. The activities undertaken included organizing media campaigns; production of climate change information documents, and coordination of various media elements for effective dissemination of the COP7 message. The COP7 Presidency also participated in several important international events of relevance to furthering the progress achieved under the Marrakech Accords: COP7 Bureau Meeting, Bonn; 9-12 June 2002, Third Session of the WSSD Preparatory Committee Meeting and 10th Meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD); New York; 25 March -5 April 2002, WSSD Preparatory Committee Meeting; Bali; 27 May - 7 June 2002,; World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD); Johannesburg; 26 August - 4th September 2002, The Eighth Conference of Parties (COP8); New Delhi; 23 October - 1 November 2002