UNEP in Afghanistan

1
UNEP in Afghanistan

• CPR Meeting, Nairobi
• 17 September 2008

2
General conclusions from the Review

• Review mission in April 2008
• Main findings
• Success beyond all expectations
• Universal positive opinion, whether from donors,
  UN agencies, NGOs or the Afghan government
• Clear lessons to be learned for UNEP

3
Success Factors

• A consistent presence over a period of years
• A multi-year commitment to supporting the process
• The decision to build the institutional,
  regulatory and human foundation for environmental
  management
• Mainstreaming environment at all levels of policy
  and programming

4
Model for Working with the UN Family

• UNEP has been a full team player (though not a
  One-UN pilot country) a collaborative rather
  than competitive approach
• It has actively participated in the UN, donor and
  government coordination mechanisms around the
  development agenda
• It has actively sought partnership with all
  agencies that carry environmental
  responsibilities
• The special case of Afghanistan under-capacity
  and ample funding

5
Model for the Bali Strategic Plan

• Afghanistan provides a perfect model for
  implementation of the Bali Strategic Plan
• The programme focuses on building capacity
  through transfer of knowledge, skills and
  technology
• It addresses the overall goal of equipping the
  environment authorities with the means to manage
  address key environmental priorities
• and works with other partners, both IGO and NGO
  to shore this up.

6
Some Implications for UNEP

• Afghanistan offers a model that can be replicated
  in select other countries, especially the growing
  number that experience or emerge from conflict
• However, UNEP must adapt to the implications of
  running established country programmes by
  adjusting its decision-making, administrative,
  financial and human resources arrangements.
• It must also consider the implications on the
  role of regional UNEP programmes