1. GEO ExCom and the GEO Programme Board Priorities and expectations for Robert-Jan Smits EC GEO Principal and Lead ExCom Co-Chair for Geneva, 1 February v 30/01/17

2. ExCom 2017 Lead Co-Chair - Background
Single lead co-chair for 2017
Reinforcement of the strategic role for ExCom – facilitated by the introduction of a Programme Board
Lead Co-Chair to provide strengthened and continuous leadership and to support the GEO Secretariat
EC Co-Chair met GEO Secretariat Director and staff -agreed on working methods and proposed priorities for 2017

3. ExCom 2017 Lead Co-Chair – Priorities (I)
1) Clarify roles and responsibilities of ExCom, Programme Board and the GEO Secretariat
Within the agreed GEO governance rules
Identify potential areas of misunderstanding – complex landscape in the second decade of GEO
Agree on approach by all players
In particular, ExCom should
Benefit from more time for strategic discussion
Respect other duties as per Rules of Procedure
Be supported by well-prepared meetings, clear communication and advanced and timely agreement on documents

4. ExCom 2017 Lead Co-Chair – Priorities (II)
2) Implementation of the GEO Engagement Strategy
Priorities agreed by Plenary in St. Petersburg (SDGs, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction)
3) Follow-up of the Commercial Sector Engagement
Interim report to be presented to March ExCom
4) Strategic assessment of GEO Key Performance Indicators
ExCom to advise on KPIs included in the Strategic Plan
Finland taking a lead analysing feasibility, priorities and next steps 5) Liaising with the GEO Programme Board
Maintain a closer and continuous dialogue with Programme Board Co-Chairs

5. ExCom 2017 Lead Co-Chair – Priorities (III)
6) Further consideration of a Flagship - centred approach
Significant shift in 2016 – GEO introduction of a top-down approach
Priorities set in the Engagement Strategy
Selection of GEO Flagships for the Work Programme
Supervisory role of the Programme Board
ExCom to explore in the light of policy priorities whether further top-down actions should be considered
7) Recruitment of the next GEO Secretariat Director
Selection Panel formed in December (one member per caucus)
Present a draft Vacancy Notice and timeline at March ExCom for approval

6. Looking to 2017- ExCom Expectations of Programme Board
GEO ready to deliver: Strategic Plan, engagement priorities, selected GEO Flagships, multi-year Work Programme.
The Programme Board expected to:
Focus on IMPLEMENTATION and DELIVERY
Ensure the GEO WP is responding to the goals of the Strategic Plan
Ensure four existing Flagships become strong and visible
Ensure increased COHERENCE across activities
Important to foster cross-collaboration and linkages between activities, while respecting autonomy and voluntary nature of GEO

7. Looking to 2017- Expectations
The Programme Board expected to:
Contribute to EFFECTIVE Governance
This is essential for the success of GEO. Need to work in synergy with the other GEO bodies to fulfil the GEO Vision
Manage EXPECTATIONS
Reconcile the voluntary nature of Programme Board and limited resources of GEO Secretariat with aspirations and responsibilities
Foster a stronger GEO IDENTITY
Branding guidelines developed by the PB/GEO Sec to be used to bring GEO above the surface