Caspian Environment Programme CEP Baku Investment Forum November

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) Baku, Investment Forum November 18 -20 , 2004

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) General information • CEP started in 1998 born out of a regional desire for environmental cooperation for protection of the caspian Sea • CEP is an inter-governmental umbrella environmental programme of the five Caspian littoral countries. • CEP is supported by International Partners including EU/Tacis, GEF, World Bank, UNEP and UNDP. • CEP also supported by other international agencies and by the industry.

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) • Overarching Goal • The overarching goal of the CEP is to safeguard the environment of the Caspian Sea for sustainable utilization of its natural resources for the well being of population.

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) • Achievements so far • Regional dialogue and cooperation • Strategy and policy development • Resource Mobilization

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) Regional dialogue and cooperation • A regional environmental coordination structure put in place that includes : - Steering Committee, a Programme Coordination Unit, National Focal Points and Regional Thematic Advisory Groups

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) Regional dialogue and cooperation • Framework Convention for the Protection of the Maritime Environment of the Caspian Sea agreed and signed in Tehran in November 2003 in Tehran by all. • Turkmenistan has already ratified. Russia has completed acceptance process. I. R Iran intends to ratify within few months. First Conference of Parties expected mid 2005. • Four Protocols are planned to be developed during next two years, namely LBS, EIA, Biodiversity and Emergence Response.

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) Strategy and policy development • A Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) developed based on extensive analytical and research work; • Five National Caspian Actions Plans developed and nationally endorsed; NCAPS now under implementation. • Strategic Action Programme (SAP) developed and agreed to as a document for voluntary guidance of the countries and the International partners. It includes targets, interventions and success indicators.

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) • SAP is worth $ 170 millions for five years to implement. • SAP identifies four major areas of environmental concerns namely - • unsustainable use of Bioresources; threat to biodiversity including those from invasive species; pollution and unsustainable coastal area development SAP pursues five major Environmental Quality Objectives namely Conservation and sustainable use of Bioresources conservation of Caspian biodiversity Improved water quality of the Caspian Sustainable development of the coastal zones Strengthened stakeholders participation

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) Resource Mobilization: • During first phase of CEP activities up to 2003 some $ 14 millions were provided by the International Partners which inter alia included over $ 5 millions from EU/Tacis and $ 8. 5 from Global Environment Facility through World Bank, UNDP, and UNEP. This is in addition to in kind support of the littoral countries. • During second phase EU/Tacis is providing over $ 6 millions, GEF is providing some $ 6 millions. Assistance is focused on SAP areas of concerns. • Industry has provided over $ 400 thousands worth of support. We expect additional support

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) • Resources Mobilization efforts led by World Bank • Matched Small Grants : close to 1 Million awarded on matching basis to 16 small investments projects • A number of Priority Investment Projects identified • Investment Forum organized

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) Our vision for Future • Enhanced regional ownership • Focus on SAP implementation • CEP and the Framework Convention possible integration • Continued resource mobilization efforts • close partnership with industry; emphasis on public participation

Caspian Environment Programme (CEP) • More information on • http: //www. worldbank. org/caspianenvironmentforum. • http: //caspianenvironment. com