Conservation and Environmental Management Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia Nadzri Yahaya, PhD, Deputy Undersecretary Conservation and Environmental Management Division Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia Developing National GEF Strategies and Priority Setting GEF Country Support Program Sub-Regional Workshop for GEF Focal Points East and South East Asia Bangkok, Thailand 2-3 April 2007

INTRODUCTION GEF project proposals to be in line with Malaysia’s National Development goals GEF project proposals to be in line with Malaysia’s National Development goals 9th Malaysia Plan: Environmental stewardship promoted to ensure balance between development needs and the environment is maintained. 9th Malaysia Plan: Environmental stewardship promoted to ensure balance between development needs and the environment is maintained. Emphasis will be accorded to studies and measures needed to facilitate action by Malaysia to meet its commitments to multilateral environmental agreements Emphasis will be accorded to studies and measures needed to facilitate action by Malaysia to meet its commitments to multilateral environmental agreements Greater focus will be placed on preventive measures to mitigate negative environmental effects at source, intensifying conservation efforts and sustainably managing natural resources Greater focus will be placed on preventive measures to mitigate negative environmental effects at source, intensifying conservation efforts and sustainably managing natural resources MOSTE – GEF OFP SINCE 1995 MOSTE – GEF OFP SINCE 1995 NRE (GEF OFP) - formed in 2004 consolidating the administration of 10 environment and natural resources agencies to facilitate a coordinated and comprehensive approach in managing environment and natural resources. NRE (GEF OFP) - formed in 2004 consolidating the administration of 10 environment and natural resources agencies to facilitate a coordinated and comprehensive approach in managing environment and natural resources.

CONSTRAINTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Lack of environmental data and indicators to monitor the environmental planning and management efforts, Federal versus States’ government jurisdiction over environment and natural resources Mainstreaming environmental management Issues and problems become more complex: global and transboundary

BACKGROUND GEF PROJECTS GEF 3 – 8 projects: 2 EA, 6 FSP. Total: 30.4 million Peat Swamp, Marine Parks, Biosafety, Targeted Research, BIPV, MIEEIP, BIOGEN (Biomass Power Generation and Cogeneration in the Malaysian Palm Oil Mills), NC2 Main achievements so far: gazettements of additional PFE /protected areas, formations of state wetlands/biodiversity committee, development of energy services companies (ESCOs) support, energy audit guidelines & energy efficiency financing programme, biosafety bill, national training centre for grid-connected BIPV

KEY PLAYERS –RAF (GEF 4) GEF 4 - National Dialogue started in June Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment & ITS agencies: FRIM, Forestry Department, NAHRIM Economic Planning Unit Ministry of Energy, Water and Communication Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry of Housing and Local Government Ministry of Commodities and Plantation Industries Universities and Research Institutes State Economic Planning Units UNDP Malaysia NGOs

RESULTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Conducted three main dialogues and many follow up meetings and discussion Climate change projects list is almost ready – 5 main priority projects Biodiversity projects – shortlist of 10 projects, still in discussions At least 2 projects on mainstreaming environmental management Two regional projects agreed

CHALLENGES Climate change issues – energy efficiency and renewable energy has clear stakeholders Biodiversity issues – many stakeholders with diverse priorities and urgency Some proposals have similar objectives – need to be consolidated State governments’ support for biodiversity projects is vital Many proposals especially from Universities/RI but are more local issues and research based

LESSONS LEARNED National based projects are less complex than regional Stakeholders not very clear of GEF criteria GEF 4 RAF mechanism is still evolving – updating of deadlines, procedures and document formats Interagency coordination for certain cross cutting project ideas has been very challenging OFP to carry out more awareness programme

CONCLUSIONS GEF criteria must be clear and simple GEF criteria must be clear and simple Projects are to supplement national efforts vis-à-vis Convention objectives Projects are to supplement national efforts vis-à-vis Convention objectives It is country driven efforts and in line with National Development Plan It is country driven efforts and in line with National Development Plan must receive full cooperation from GEF Secretariat must receive full cooperation from GEF Secretariat

TERIMA KASIH/ THANK YOU