1. Institutional Set-up and Staffing Arrangements for FNR_Rio Project in Afghanistan 26 January 2011 Mauritius

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

3. 1- Institutional Set-up There are two main governmental institutions responsible for the implementation of the Rio Conventions: the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL). There are two main governmental institutions responsible for the implementation of the Rio Conventions: the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL).

4. The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) is the national focal point for UNFCCC and Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) is the acting focal point for CBD and UNCCD. The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) is the national focal point for UNFCCC and Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) is the acting focal point for CBD and UNCCD. Other Governmental and non-governmental institutions and agencies are involved with the Rio conventions are as following: Other Governmental and non-governmental institutions and agencies are involved with the Rio conventions are as following:

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

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

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

8. (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.

9. (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.

10. 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.

11. Natural Resources Directorate General of the 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 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)

12. 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

13. Department of Natural Resources has approximately 196 technical staff of various background, 1012 administrative and supporting staff all over the country (2009-2010). Department of Natural Resources has approximately 196 technical staff of various background, 1012 administrative and supporting staff all over the country (2009-2010).

14. 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.

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

16. - A shared working room is provided by NEPA for NPA and NC in the NEPA head quarter. They are also provided transportation facilities. - A national servant is recruited by NEPA to serve NPA and NC. Other services like lunch and tea are also being provided by NEPA for NPA and NC. - International Environmental Relations Division of NEPA is closely working with the project team.

17. 2- Staffing arrangements - The project team comprises of three members: NPC, NPA and NC. - NPC is a government official and NPA and NC are selected on the basis of competition process. - This team works under Afghanistan National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). - Financial support (34.567USD) was provided by UNEP/GEF for the implementation of this project.

18. 3- Challenges and needs - Lack of strong coordination among related governmental institutions. - Lack of capacity. 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. - Inadequacy of financial support. - Ambiguity in term of reference of the project.

19. 4- Conclusion

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