Maldives has concluded the South Asia Constituency meeting of Global Environment Facility (GEF). The meeting hosted by Maldives, with the participation of representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka. The representatives discussed the upcoming work programme and related issues up for discussion and decision at the 53rd Council meeting to be held later this month. Constituency members also provided comments and input regarding GEF replenishment to the Environment Ministry, which would be representing the Asia Pacific region in the GEF-7 replenishment negotiations.
The Constituency Meetings provide an opportunity to share information, views and obtain feedback from members of the constituency on issues related to the Council's agenda and beyond. The meeting also aims to review country and constituency coordination issues, to enhance communication and outreach efforts, to decide upon constituency governance issues, such as the order in which countries will assume Council Member and Alternate seats, participation in replenishment process and discuss implementation of the GEF projects and share lessons learned.
GEF is the world's leading international institution investing in the joint management, care, and restoration of our planet. GEF was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to help tackle our planet's most pressing environmental problems. The GEF unites 183 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives.