New move to improve environment management

From Seychelles Nation - 10.07.2009
Seychelles has taken a new step to increase its capacity for effective ecological management, which covers national and global environmental issues.

This came with the signing on Wednesday of the second phase of a project designed to address specific issues identified in the National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA).

This followed previous assessments of the Environment Management Plans of Seychelles (EMPS) that pointed to key institutional barriers within government, and between government and non-governmental organisations, limiting the effectiveness of the current EMPS operations.

The project – Capacity development for improved national and international environmental management in Seychelles – is based on the need to mainstream global environmental objectives into the EMPS, which is the main strategic planning and coordinating mechanism for environmental management in the country.

It is also based on the need to strengthen the capacity for integrated approaches that address climate change, biodiversity and land degradation.
It contributes to the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) strategic priority to boost capacity for global environmental management by strengthening the national institutional framework, technical skills and related capacities to manage commitments under the global environmental conventions in conjunction with national objectives.

The official agreement for the project was signed at Independence House by the special adviser for environment in the President’s Office Dr Rolph Payet – also the GEF’s operational focal point – and UNDP resident representative and resident coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles Claudio Calderone, in the presence of principal secretary for environment Didier Dogley and UNDP representatives.

Dr Payet said Seychelles is very proud that the GEF has recognised the country’s capacity and willingness to carry out such a project. As a small country, capacity is always on top of the agenda and is crucial in managing almost all areas, he added.

He also said the project will help Seychelles to better manage its resources at national level and to play a greater role at international level.

Dr Payet added that the project will support the ministry responsible for environment as well as other ministries and non-governmental organisations in their environmental and sustainable development-related duties.

On behalf of the UNDP, Mr Calderone said as a middle-income country Seychelles should not be penalised but should rather be helped with financial and technical resources that will boost its capacity to face environmental issues as well as other possible future concerns.

He described the collaboration between Seychelles and the GEF as another step forward in a fruitful relationship.

The project was proposed after the NCSA identified capacity shortcomings that limited Seychelles’ ability to realise national goals and international commitments.

The NCSA presented an action plan to address these needs and boost the national approach to global environmental management.

The plan addresses core aspects identified by the NCSA process – including four of the 10 priority issues – so as to build on the existing national foundation.

Benefits will be realised by linking national initiatives to international obligations, creating an enabling environment for enhanced stakeholder involvement, harnessing the country’s full capacities in coordinating and running environmental programmes and also bridging crucial capacity gaps.

The GEF’s sponsored project will run through a 36-month period at a cost of US $42,500.