Institutional Set-up and Staffing Arrangements FNR_Rio Project Afghanistan 13 March 2012 Tehran, Iran

Contents 1- Institutional set-up 2- Staffing arrangements 3- Challenges and needs 4- Conclusion

1- Institutional Set-up There are two main governmental institutions responsible for the implementation of the Rio Conventions: There are two main governmental institutions responsible for the implementation of the Rio Conventions: 1- National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). 1- National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). 2- Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL). 2- Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL).

The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) is the national focal point for UNFCCC. but one point is important to be mentioned at this meeting: The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) is the national focal point for UNFCCC. but one point is important to be mentioned at this meeting: The CBD focal point transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) to NEPA and the (MAIL) is the only acting focal point for UNCCD. The CBD focal point transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) to NEPA and the (MAIL) is the only acting focal point for UNCCD. Other Governmental and non-governmental institutions and agencies are involved with the Other Governmental and non-governmental institutions and agencies are involved with the Rio Conventions are as following: Rio Conventions are as following:

- Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA). - Department of Metrology of the Ministry of Transportation (DMMT). - Research Sectors and Academia. - National and International Agencies and as well as NGOs.

National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) UNFCCC is also focal point for the ozone treaties, additionally it is the lead agency for National Capacity Needs Self- Assessment for the Global Environmental Management (NCSA) and National Adaptation plan of Action for Climate Change (NAPA) processes. The technical organization structure of the Agency is shown in Fig. UNFCCC is also focal point for the ozone treaties, additionally it is the lead agency for National Capacity Needs Self- Assessment for the Global Environmental Management (NCSA) and National Adaptation plan of Action for Climate Change (NAPA) processes. The technical organization structure of the Agency is shown in Fig.

General Directorate Of the NEPA Deputy Dir. Gen. Policy & International Relations Technical Deputy Financial and Administrative Deputy Division of International Environmental Affairs Division of Climate Change Division of Planning & Coordination Division of Natural Heritage Protection Division of Sustainable Development and Environmental Impact Assessment Institute of Research & Indigenous Knowledge Division of Policy and Legislation Division of Social Awareness and Public Outreach FNR_Rio Conventions Expert Board Division Research & Indigenous Knowledge Division

(i) The National ozone unit continued to progress towards fulfilling Afghanistan’s obligations under the ozone treaties, especially the Montreal Protocol. (i) The National ozone unit continued to progress towards fulfilling Afghanistan’s obligations under the ozone treaties, especially the Montreal Protocol. (ii) Afghanistan’s National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management (NCSA) and National Adaptation plan of Action for Climate Change (NAPA) reports were completed and submitted. (ii) Afghanistan’s National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management (NCSA) and National Adaptation plan of Action for Climate Change (NAPA) reports were completed and submitted.

(iii) A numerous policies including a National Waste Management Policy, air Control Policy and National Pollution Control and Vehicle Emission standards are developed. furthermore an EIA Board of Expert is established. (iii) A numerous policies including a National Waste Management Policy, air Control Policy and National Pollution Control and Vehicle Emission standards are developed. furthermore an EIA Board of Expert is established. (iv) UNEP provides support to NEPA in the developing Afghanistan’s Initial National Communication under the UNFCCC. (iv) UNEP provides support to NEPA in the developing Afghanistan’s Initial National Communication under the UNFCCC.

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) MAIL has elaborated Ten-Year Master Plan and associated Five-Year Implementation and Investment Program (IIP). The IIP do not directly addresses climate change, however, as the Ministry promotes the sustainable management of sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases (including forested areas and rangeland), develops and elaborates integrated plans for water resources, agriculture, and protected areas under IIP, thus, the IIP indirectly contributes to fulfilling the requirements of Rio Conventions. MAIL has elaborated Ten-Year Master Plan and associated Five-Year Implementation and Investment Program (IIP). The IIP do not directly addresses climate change, however, as the Ministry promotes the sustainable management of sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases (including forested areas and rangeland), develops and elaborates integrated plans for water resources, agriculture, and protected areas under IIP, thus, the IIP indirectly contributes to fulfilling the requirements of Rio Conventions.

Natural Resources Directorate General of the MAIL Ministry works closely with the Rio Conventions. This Department has in its framework the divisions of Forestry, Range land Management and protected Areas, which are responsible for the management, utilization, protection and rehabilitation of the country’s forestry, rangelands, protected areas and wildlife resources. See (Fig-2) Natural Resources Directorate General of the MAIL Ministry works closely with the Rio Conventions. This Department has in its framework the divisions of Forestry, Range land Management and protected Areas, which are responsible for the management, utilization, protection and rehabilitation of the country’s forestry, rangelands, protected areas and wildlife resources. See (Fig-2)

General Directorate of Natural Resources Protected Areas Division National Park and wildlife Management Division Rangeland Division Watershed Management Division Rangeland Management Division Forestry Division Afforestation Division Forest Protection Division

Department of Natural Resources has approximately 196 technical staff of various background, 1012 administrative and supporting staff all over the country ( ). Department of Natural Resources has approximately 196 technical staff of various background, 1012 administrative and supporting staff all over the country ( ).

Coordinating and Decision Making Committees (CDMC) The following Committees are responsible for the monitoring and coordination at the national level. The following Committees are responsible for the monitoring and coordination at the national level. - Inter Ministry Committee for air pollution control and mitigation. - National Environmental Council. - Parliamentary Committee on the Environment.

- The Afghanistan wildlife Executive Committee. - EIA Board of Expert. - National Climate Change Committee (NCCC). These committees held meetings and perform and oversight functions related to environmental concerns. These committees are functioning under NEPA direction. These committees held meetings and perform and oversight functions related to environmental concerns. These committees are functioning under NEPA direction.

2- Staffing arrangements - The project team of Afghanistan comprises of three members: NPC, NPA and NC. - NPC and NC are governmental staff but NPA is non-governmental staff. - The mentioned members work under Afghanistan National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). - Financial support of UNEP/GEF for the implementation of the project activities.

- A shared working room is provided by NEPA for NPA and NC, in the NEPA head quarter, but there is no facility of transportation for NPA. - The technical deputy of the NEPA is also the NPC of the Rio project and he supports the Rio project.

3- Challenges and needs - Lack of strong coordination among related governmental institutions. - One of the most critical constraints affecting implementation of the Rio Convention is the limited technical capacity of available staff. - Therefore it’s highly needed to train them in Biodiversity, Desertification and Climate Change.

- Less financial support for NPA because he is non-governmental staff and only supported by project fund and also he does not any extra financial supports and from other side the NEPA does not take a part as a co-finance to him as well, hope for all of you to be pay attention in this regard.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION