1
List of Abbreviations
Abbreviation
CACIF
CBD
CCAD
CCD
CDM
CITES
CONADIBIO
CONAP
CONARFI
CONRED
COPs
CVCC
NBS
FCG
FIPA
FONACON
GEF
IABIN
INAB
INSIVUMEH
IUCN
MAGA
MARN
MBC
MEM
OGIC
OTECBIO
PDS
P+L
REDCA
SEGEPLAN
SIGAP
UCC
UNDP
UNEP
UNFCCC
USGS
UTEI
Full name
Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations
United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
Central American Commission for Environment and Development
United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification
Clean Development Mechanism
Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Advisory Committee on Biodiversity
National Council on Protected Areas
National Commission on Fitogenetics
National Coordinator on Disaster Reduction
Conference of the Parties
Permanent Council on Climate Change and Variability
National Biodiversity Strategy
Guatemalan Trust fund for Conservation
Project on Institutional Strengthening on Environmental Policy
National Fund for Nature Conservation
Global Environment Facility
Inter American Biodiversity Information Network
National Institute for Forestry
National Institute on Seismology, Vulcanology. Meteorology and Hydrology
World Conservation Union
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food
Ministry on Environment and Natural Resources
Mesoamerican Biological Corridor
Ministry of Energy and Mines
Guatemalan Office for Joint Implementation
Technical Office for the Follow-up of the Implementation of National Biodiversity
Strategy of CONAP
National Action Program for Combating Desertification and Drought of MARN
Cleaner Production
Regional Cooperation Network on Education and Research on Agriculture and
Renewable Natural Resources
Presidential Secretariat for Planning and Programming
Guatemalan System of Protected Areas
Climate Change Unit of MARN
United Nations Development Program
United Nations Environment Program
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United Stares Geological Service
Technical Unit of Invasive Exotic Species
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1.
Background, Context and Related Work
1.1.
Background.
1. The Republic of Guatemala is located on the Central American isthmus between latitudes
13º 44' and 18º North 30' and longitudes 87º 24' and 92º 14' West. Due to its geographic
location and topography the country has a great variety of climates, from the tropical
humidity of the coasts to the cold Altiplano. The average annual temperature is 26.7º
Celsius for the pacific zone, 18.7º Celsius for the central zone and 25.5º Celsius along the
Atlantic coast. With an area of 108,889 km2, 70% is mountainous and a 62% is covered
by forests. Topographically, Guatemala has a low coastline along the Pacific Ocean and
the Caribbean Sea, plains in the East, and a mountainous plateau in the center and the
Western part of the country. The precipitation (rainfall) in the plateau fluctuates between
1,000 and 1,200 annual mm, whereas on the coast it reaches 4,000 annual mm.
2. Social aspects: the Republic is divided into eight regions with 22 departments and 330
municipalities; the official language is Spanish, and 21 Mayan languages, plus the
Garífuna and Xinca languages are spoken in different parts of the country. As of July
2004, the population of Guatemala estimated at 14,280,596 with an annual growth rate of
2.61 %. 43% of the population are indigenous Amerindian, 55% are Metizo and 2% are
white. The capital city has 942,348 inhabitants according to the 2002 census. The
services of health are mainly urban, 46% of the population has difficult access to medical
services, many of the health problems are related to unsafe water and poor sanitation.
3. Economy: Agriculture is the largest sector, accounting for one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds
of exports and half the labor force. Coffee, sugar, banana, cardamom, cane, maize and
beans are the main products. Other important industries include fishing, forestry and
petroleum. 75% of the population lives below the poverty line.
4. Environmental issues: In terms of biodiversity and natural resources, Guatemala is one
of the richest countries in Latin America. It is also one of the most impoverished and
inequitable countries in the region. Across the country there is evidence of substantial
environmental degradation, the result of deforestation, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity
and pollution. Of Guatemala’s total land area, by 1999 a total of 34.5% remained
forested. In 1990-95 annual deforestation occurred at an annual rate of 2% of the forest
area, but this rate is expected to have increased as parts of the country have more
accessible after the civil war.. Several protected areas have been set up in the country, but
enforcement needs to be strengthened and deforestation is much in evidence in these
areas.
5. Guatemala faces important challenges in the area of environmental management that
must be incorporated into social and economic policy efforts in order to ensure the longterm sustainable development in the country. The following represent some of the most
significant challenges to effective environmental management.
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a. Poverty: The level of poverty in Guatemala contributes to a lack of sustainable
management of natural resources. Populations living in extreme poverty do not
have the financial ability or technical means to seek or change to more
environmental-friendly practices. Economic crisis, insecurity and inequity in
land distribution and ownership, as well as the levels of malnutrition, all give
rise to the deterioration of natural resources.
b. Weak governmental institutions in environment management: environmental
policies
and laws are not sufficiently clear, integrated, or enforced.
Furthermore, the ministries and agencies dedicated to environmental issues are
not adequately financed or staffed to realize their mandate.
c. Limited technical and organizational capacity among civil society and national
NGOs dedicated to the promotion of environmental management in Guatemala.
1.2.
Institutional Framework
6. Various sectors are involved in the development of this project, including the public sector,
non-governmental organizations, academia, indigenous groups and the productive sector. The
active participation of these groups guarantees that the United Nations Conventions on
Biodiversity (CBD), Climatic Change (UNFCCC) and Desertification (CCD) are adhered to.
Characteristics of the responsible institutions, as focal points for the Conventions, are described
below.
1.1.1. Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
7. An achievement in the institutional development of the country and specifically for the
environmental sector was the creation of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
(MARN), by Legislative Decree 90-2000 and Internal Ruling1. MARN mandates the creation
and implementation of policies related to complying with the rules concerning the conservation,
protection, sustainability and improvement of the country’s environment and natural resources
and the human right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. MARN also acts to
prevent the contamination of the environment, limit environmental deterioration and the loss of
natural heritage, through coordinated work of the respective executing bodies.
8. The attributes of MARN’s legal mandate include:
a)
Formulating and implementing policies related to its field.
b)
Complying with and assuring that the legal system complies with matters
concerning the conservation, protection, sustainability and improvement of the
environment and natural resources and protects the human right to a healthy and
ecologically balanced environment.
c)
Prevention of environmental contamination.
d)
Limitation of environmental deterioration and the loss of natural heritage.
1
Governmental Decree 186-2001.
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e)
Implementation of state policies on the environment and natural resources.
9.
Two United Nations Conventions operate within this institutional framework, the
Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Combating Desertification. To this effect,
the following organizational units have been created within the MARN: the Climate Change Unit
(UCC), the Program for National Action for the Fight Against Desertification and Drought
(PDS) and as follow-up to these Conventions, the Unit for the Coordination and Synergy of the
Strategy on the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC) and the Biodiversity Unit, both of
which operate in the MARN.
1.1.2. National Council on Protected Areas (CONAP)
10.
The CONAP is the state institution responsible for the direction and application of the
Law on Protected Areas, Decree 4-982 and Regulations3, which falls under the direct authority of
the President of the Republic of Guatemala. It was created with the objective of promoting the
optimal functioning of essential ecological processes of the nature system, achieve the capacity
to sustainably use the species and ecosystems within national territory, preserve the natural
heritage of Guatemala and conserve biological diversity. The CONAP has promoted the
combination of efforts in three areas of action related to institutional development, the
administration of the Guatemalan System of Protected Areas (SIGAP) and the management of
national biodiversity.
11.
CONAP’s environmental competencies are notable in the following three areas: the
conservation and rational use of the flora and fauna of Guatemala, all resources included in the
SIGAP and national biodiversity in its totality. CONAP is the government institution responsible
to ensure compliance with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Technical Office for
the Follow-up of the National Strategy on Biodiversity (OTECBIO) and the Technical Unit for
Invasive Exotic Species (UTEI).
1.1.3. Other Participating Institutions
12. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), presented in 2002 a document
entitled “Cartography and the Analysis of the Vulnerability of Food Security in Guatemala”
which included analysis of climactic threats related to drought, frost, floods and the analysis of
the food situation including a deficit of available food, access to food and the use of food.
13. The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MEM), until now has not had activities directly related
to the Conventions, however MEM is interested in supporting this process in order to achieve the
objectives. Between MARN and MEM there exists a strategic alliance in environmental matters
as defined by the Convention for Inter-institutional Coordination and Cooperation; MARN will
formulate and implement the policies related to compliance and will ensure that the state
conscientiously works for the conservation, protection, sustainability and improvement of the
2
3
The Law on Protected Areas and its reforms, Decrees 18-89, 110-96 and 117-97.
Governmental Decree No. 759-90.
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environment and the natural resources of the country; MEM will cooperate within its own
institution and through the personnel of the Administrative Unit for Environmental Control, in
the area of hydrocarbons, mines and energy, and will furthermore comply with each of the
provisions regarding the environment and natural resources proposed by MARN.
14. The National Institute for Forestry (INAB) is the state body responsible for the application of
the Forest Law, Decree 101-96 and Regulations4. The object of this law is to reduce
deforestation of land for vocational forestry; promote reforestation; increase the productivity of
existing forests; create incentives for public and private investment in productive forestry
activities, commercialization and diversification; conserve the forest ecosystem of the country
and create a favorable environment for an improved standard of living for the Guatemalan
population. INAB’s expertise is in the promotion of the sustainable use and conservation of
forestry resources found outside of protected areas, for which INAB has been identified as a key
actor in the application of the three Conventions.
15.
The main principles of the forestry Policy are:
a.
Contribute to the strengthening of the SIGAP and the conservation of strategic
forestry ecosystems.
b.
Support the productive use of natural forests.
c.
Promote silviculture plantations.
d.
Support agro-forestry systems on forestry lands.
e.
Contribute to the search for markets and forestry product designs.
1.2. Related Earlier Activities
16.
MARN and CONAP are responsible for the coordination of efforts for the
implementation of the actions stipulated in the Conventions on Biodiversity, Climate Change and
the Desertification, in addition to the respective strategic planning and decision making of the
Conferences of Parties (COPs). For this purpose they have the technical and management
personnel to follow-up on substantive activities, in addition to receiving the assistance of other
involved sectors.
1.2.1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
17.
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The following are activities related to this Convention:
Ratification of the Agreement on the International Trade of Endangered Wild Fauna and
Flora Species (CITES) of November 1979, applicable since 1980 and with the focal point
being CONAP.
Adhering to the Agreement signed in Ramsar, related to the Wetlands of International
Importance, especially the Aquatic Bird Habitats of April 1988. The focal point is within
CONAP.
Ruling of the Forestry Law (Resolution 4.23.97 of INAB’s Executive Board); Ruling for the Use of Mangrove
(Resolution 01.25.98 of INAB); Ruling for the Transport of Forestry Products (Res. 5.23.97 of INAB).
4
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5
6
Creation of a National Fund for Nature Conservation5 (FONACON), as a financial
instrument under CONAP’s responsibility, to support conservation projects in protected
areas.
Formulate a National Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity
(NBS) and an Action Plan 1998-1999.
Create an Advisory Committee of Biodiversity (CONACIBIO6), a multi-sector body to
assist the actions of the OTECBIO, attend to the promotion of political and legal
instruments, oriented towards conservation and the use and integrated management of
biodiversity. The CONADIBIO includes representatives from various sectors: MARN,
MAGA, CONAP the Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial
Associations (CACIF), the national universities and the NGO members of CONAP.
Share information regarding the NBS during 2000-2002 in 15 departments of the country,
informing 664 representatives of institutions from various sectors.
Participation in the creation of the Agenda for Public Spending Priorities for the
Environment 2002-2010, coordinated by the Project for Institutional Strengthening in
Environmental Policies (FIPA) and the MARN, in which the principle actions of the NBS
were prioritized.
Elaboration of the First National Report for the Convention on Biological Diversity
before the COP 2001, with the assistance of the Central American Commission for the
Environment and Development (CCAD) and the IUCN.
Development of mechanisms to facilitate information sharing through the formulation
and execution of two projects: a) network of information on invasive exotic species in
Guatemala, as part of the Inter American Biodiversity Information Network (LLAVIN)
and financed by the Geological Services of the United States (USGS) 2002; b) creation of
an alpha version of the Integrated System of Information for CONAP, as a base for
creating a national information system on biodiversity financed by the Guatemalan Trust
fund for Conservation (FCG) and CONAP, 2001-2002.
Financial assistance from MBC for environmental education, eco-tourism, ecological
restoration, economic valuing of environmental services, harmonization of laws at the
regional level, creation of strategic alliances between key local actors, strengthening the
management of SIGAP, promotion of the management of local projects and promoting
alternative eco-friendly production.
Elaboration and initiating the Project for the Development of the National Biosafety
Framework, with CONAP as a counterpart and with the technical and financial assistance
of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the GEF.
Creation of Technical Unit of Invasive Exotic Species UTEI, financed by FONACON, in
order to strengthen CONAP’s management ability in the sector, to share information, and
to coordinate actions related to invasive exotic species.
Monitoring and coordination with institutions from the governmental and NGO sectors
on biodiversity.
Assistance to the Mesoamerican System of Biological Information
Representation of MARN in the National Commission on Fitogenetics (CONARFI).
As per Governmental Decree No. 264-97.
Presidential Resolution ALC/039-2002, April 4th, 2002.
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Representation of MARN Regional Cooperation Network on Education and Research on
Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources (REDCA).
Approval of the access of Guatemala to Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2003.
1.2.2. Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
18. The following are activities related to this Convention:
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Institutional and organizational strengthening through the creation of Guatemalan Office
for Joint Implementation (OGIC)
Creation of the Climate Change Unit of MARN
Creation of working groups on Forestry and Climate Change
Creation of Permanent Council on Climate Change and Variability (CVCC), integrating
representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs; MAGA; Ministry of Public Health and
Social Assistance; Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing, represented
by the National Institute on Seismology, Vulcanology. Meteorology and Hydrology
(INSIVUMEH); Ministry of Public Finance; SEGEPLAN; Network of Environmental
Training and Research with representatives of the different universities of Guatemala;
National Coordinator on Disaster Reduction (CONRED); the private sector, represented
by CACIF; CONAP; INAB.
Ratification of the Protocol of Kyoto7 in 1999
National Inventory of Greenhouse gases
First National Communication on Climate Change
Providing training in project formulation for CDM
Initiation of the creation of a National Programme on Climate Change
Evaluation of the impact of vulnerability and climate change on hydrological resources,
on health, on basic grains and on forest resources.
Evaluation of the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector and in forest
sector.
Participation of MARN in the Guatemalan Center for Cleaner Production
1.2.3.
19.
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Convention on Combating Desertification (CCD)
The following are activities related to this Convention:
National Diagnostic on the situation on desertification and drought
A study on the strengthening of the participation of rural communities and indigenous
people in activities related to combat ageist desertification and the effects of drought in
highly vulnerable watersheds of Guatemala
Formulation of a National Action Plan for Fight against Desertification and Drought
Elaboration of First and Second National Reports on the implementation of the
Convention (CCD)
Decree 23-99.
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1.3.
Institutional strengthening: conformation of an Inter-regional Commission (regions II, III
and IV of Guatemala), covering 8 of the 22 departments of the country in the topic of
fight against desertification and drought.
First National Meeting on Desertification and Drought, in the Northwestern and
Northeastern regions of Guatemala.
Participation in the XI Latin American and Caribbean Meeting of CCD
Related ongoing activities
1.3.1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
20. The following are ongoing activities related to this Convention
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Implementation of UNEP/GEF project “Development of the National Biosafety
Framework for Guatemala”. This project prioritizes biological diversity in risk due to
genetically modified organisms; analysis and actualizes legal framework; proposes a
security system for the import of vegetable and animal products, and establishes a
mechanism for a database of the information produced by the project.
Due to a national emergency, the UTEI has contributed to an inter-institutional effort in
the elaboration of control measures for Hydrilla verticillata in the continental water
bodies of the country
Measures for the accession of additional funding (top-up) in capacity building in
biodiversity for the implementation of the NBS and its Plan of Action.
The UTEI is currently strengthening its capacity and mobilizing new nation resources for
prevention in order to analyze the risks related to new exotic species that have already
entered the country, and to implement security measures.
First phase of elaboration of a Communication, Education and Public Awareness Policy,
as a follow-up to the decisions of COPs
1.3.2. Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
21. The following are ongoing activities related to this Convention:
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First phase of implementation of the project: Capacity Building for Stage II Adaptation to
Climate Change in Central America, Mexico and Cuba.
Initiative for the establishment of a Designated National Authority for CDM
Initiative for the establishment of National Climate Change Programme
Follow-up to the decisions of the COPs
First phase in the conformation of a working group on energy and climate change
Follow-up of the activities of the multidisciplinary and intersector working group on
forestry and climate change.
Assessment of the current and future vulnerability to climate change in the eastern part of
the country, with emphasis on water resources and food security.
Promotion of forestry projects in carbon trading
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Promotion of renewable energy projects in carbon trading
National strategy for CDM and carbon trading markets. This strategy includes the
quantification of carbon fixing potential in forests, biomass and energy; analysis of the
prices and costs carbon certificates; analysis of the legal and institutional framework,
identification and definition of Guatemala’s position in the international carbon trading
markets.
1.3.3. Convention on Combating Desertification (CCD)
22.
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The following are ongoing activities related to this Convention:
Implementation of three projects of soil and water conservation in Chiquimula.
Preparation of a project on Desertification and Drought Mitigation in Camotán and
Jocotán, Chiquimula.
Preparation of the XII Latin American and Caribbean Meeting of CCD.
Presidency of the Technical and Scientific Commission of the CCD.
2.
Objectives, and linkages to ongoing activities
2.1
Overall objective
23.
To identify the needs and priorities in strengthening national, institutional and individual
capacities enabling optimal use of resources through planning and coordination in the
implementation of common and/or complementary actions related to the Conventions and their
linkages to national environmental themes.
2.2
Specific objectives
Specific objective 1
To analyze the legal framework related to each Convention, identifying the existing gaps,
repetitions, needs and contradictions.
Specific objective 2
To assess the technical-scientific capacity at individual, national and institutional level, as well
as the existing infrastructure for the implementation of the agreements envisaged in the
Conventions and in the respective decisions of the COPs.
Specific objective 3
Harmonize the policy frameworks, strategies, and action plans applied by each Convention in its
sphere of action, in order to facilitate reaching common and complementary objectives and
resulting in synergies between the conventions.
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Specific objective 4
Assess and re-formulate existing administrative mechanisms and their linkages with other sectors
of the society in order to operate and coordinate the three Conventions in the implementation of
common plans and strategies.
Specific objective 5
Propose an integrated plan of action in order to address the needs in strengthening capacities in
priority areas, including follow-up and evaluation mechanisms of the three Conventions.
24.
This project will build upon previously carried out activities and the results obtained in
the framework of the three conventions. Moreover, there will be close coordination with the
three focal points of the Conventions in order to avoid duplicity and in order to maintain
coherence with ongoing processes. This way the capacity strengthening needs will be identified
on a systemic, institutional, and individual level, developing synergies within a transversal and
holistic framework.
3.
Project activities
Activity No. 1: Establish high-level coordination and supervision
25.
MARN is the operational focal point of GEF and the focal points of the Conventions are
in CONAP-OTECBIO and MARN. This type of structure has allowed for coordination relating
to the three Conventions; the development of this project will make viable and more efficient
coordination at a superior level as well as at the technical level.
26.
According to the organigram (annex I) , the following four (4) levels of action exist in the
implementation of this project:
 A High-Level Committee, that includes the Minister(s) or Vice-Minister(s) of MARN,
MAGA, MEM, the Executive Secretary of CONAP and the Manager of INAB. This
Committee takes decisions and requests results and reports from the Project Office and
Project Director.
 A Steering Committee, that includes the focal points of the three Conventions. This
Committee is responsible for supervising the activities of the Project Office and Project
Director. At the same level is the Consultative Council, formed by the representatives of
CONADIBIO, of CVCC and of UNDP, who act as consultative bodies and offer
assistance as required by the Steering Committee.
 A National Project Office. A Project Director will head this office. He/She will be
selected based on terms of reference and interviews with candidates put forward by the
Steering Committee of the Focal Points. The High-Level Committee will make final
approval of the selection. The Director will be in charge of and responsible for the
organization, planning, coordination and implementation of all project activities; and
will, together with the Steering Committee elaborate a General Project Plan based on the
project objectives
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
Lastly, consultancies for each of the Conventions will be identified, selected and
supervised by the Project Director who will present the proposals to the Steering
Committee of focal points.
27.
For the development of this project favorable connections exist between the authorities of
MARN and of CONAP and the respective focal points of the Conventions. Furthermore, for the
creation and development of this project, there are technical officers OTECBIO-CONAP, from
the Unit for Climate Change, the National Program of Action for the Fight Against
Desertification and Drought, and the National Unit for Coordination and Synergy for the
Mesoamerican Biological Corridor of MARN
28.
However, the participation of other actors is necessary as these institutions play an
important role in environmental actions and should be included in the High-Level Committee.
The focal points of the Conventions, with the help of their institutions, may therefore invite other
authorities to join the High-Level Committee.
Activity No. 2: Initiate a Planning Process
29. The planning process will be carried out by the technical officers of OTECBIO-CONAP, and
of the Unit for Climate Change, the National Program of Action for the Fight Against
Desertification and Drought, and the National Unit for Coordination and Synergy for the
Mesoamerican Biological Corridor of MARN. The Focal Points will also be consulted, as well as
institutions with linkages to the three Conventions.
Activity No. 3: Stocktaking and gap identification
30. National experts/consultants will be contracted in each theme in order to collect information
regarding the current state of capacities in the following levels: human resources, infrastructure,
administrative mechanisms, level of knowledge, legal framework, policy frameworks, plans and
strategies in the implementation of the three Conventions (CBD, UNFCCC, CCD) and the
respective COP decisions. The academic sector and specialists in the field as well as key actors
will be involved and consulted in the development of this activity.
Activity No. 4: Formulate and undertake thematic assessments
31.
Regional consultations with different stakeholders will be undertaken. These
consultations will be organized in monothematic, multithematic, and multisectorial way,
depending on the area of consultation. In other words, the modality of the consultation will
depend on the characteristics of the site where the consultation will be organized. For example,
three (3) regional multithematic and multisectorial workshops will be held, while at the central
(capital region) level three (3) monothematic (one for each Convention) and multisectorial
consultation workshops will be organized.
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32. The above-mentioned consultations of will be coordinated by the respective
consultancies, under the supervision of the Project Director, and with the assistance of the
institutions and focal points of the Conventions, MARN and CONAP.
Activity No. 5: Identify synergies and cross-cutting analysis
33. This activity will be undertaken by the consultancies, and will identify the synergies,
gaps, barriers, overlapping areas and coordination between the three Conventions, with
the aim of analyzing the national, institutional and individual capacities. Furthermore, on
the basis of the results and information obtained through the regional consultations,
proposals will be made regarding strengthening of national, institutional and individual
capacities in specific themes related to strengthening the synergies between the three
Conventions.
34. After the cross-cutting analysis, a consultation process will take place in order to share
and obtain inputs on the progress and results achieved at this stage of the project. The
Project Director will submit a report to the Steering Committee for feed-back and
evaluation.
Activity No. 6: Develop an action plan
35. All the proposals and results of the workshops and multisectorial working groups
regarding capacity development will be unified into an action plan that will define the
appropriate mechanisms for joint action in strategic areas of action of the three
Conventions (CBD, UNFCCC and CCD). This activity is undertaken by the Project
Director and by specific consultants. A draft version of this action plan will be shared
among stakeholders to obtain their input and ensure that the document is truly
representative of the consultations held during the NCSA process.
Activity No. 7: Monitoring and post-project evaluation
36. Three reports will be delivered during project implementation, describing results
achieved and progress in project activities; one of the reports being the final project
report.
37. Six months after the finalization of the project activities a post-project evaluation will be
undertaken, with the aim of verifying follow-up activities and the results achieved. An
evaluation report will be presented and this will serve as input for eventual modifications
to the original action plan developed under Activity 6.
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4.
Institutional framework and project implementation
4.1.
High level political oversight and coordination
38. The different levels of oversight are described in Annex I. The coordination will be
horizontal and intersectorial, facilitating sharing of project progress and results achieved.
39. The inter-institutional coordination mechanisms are already in place in Guatemala, and
this coordination will be strengthened through the participation of CONAP via OTECBIO and
of the Unit for Coordination and Synergy for the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor of
MARN, as well as the institutions integrating the High-Level Committee and other previously
mentioned sectors. CVCC and CONADIBIO will serve as consultative and advisory bodies,
with the technical assistance of UNDP.
4.2. Project management and operational coordination
40. Project management is under the responsibility of MARN; and operations will be
coordinated with CONAP through its different units, as well as with the different entities that
are involved in the development of the activities. This will enrich the results of the selfassessment of the national capacities. Furthermore, management and operations will be
accompanied and coordinated by the Focal Points.
4.3. Implementation of the activities
41. The first phase will consist of the conformation of the Committees and groups at the
different levels of decision-making and implementation of the project. This phase will
include the hiring of the Project Director as well as of the different consultancies related to
the three Conventions. Some of the main substantive activities of the project are: Formulation
of a General Project Plan; collecting and analyzing existing laws, policies, plans, strategies
and treaties; identification of experts; thematic assessments through regional consultations
with the participation of different stakeholders, resulting to a Diagnostic of National
Capacities and a Proposal of Capacity Development
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5.
Timetable
Programmed for 18 months, starting in February 2004 and finalizing in July 2005.
Substantive activities
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
1 Establish high-level coordination and supervision
Planning and inter-institutional coordination
X
Conformation of the High-Level Committee
X
Selection and hiring of Project Director
X
Selection and hiring of the technical team
X
2 Initiate a Planning Process
Elaboration of a General Project Plan
X
Presentation of General Project Plan to the High-Level
Committee
3 Stocktaking and gap identification
X
Collection and analysis of the laws, policies, plans, strategies,
treaties, COPs, studies and reports elaborated in the
framework of the three Conventions
Identify experts and entities that can contribute to the
adoption of the agreements and decisions of the COPs of the
three Conventions
Identify the technical-scientific capacity, functional structure
and institutional infrastructure related to the Conventions.
Identify and analyze the current processes in implementing
the technical administration of the Conventions.
FIRST PROGRESS REPORT
X X X
X X
X X X
X X
X
4 Formulate and undertake thematic assessments
Multisectorial consultations (workshops, interviews, etc.) in
order to identify the priorities and needs in strengthening
thematic capacities.
Assessment of the capacities identified in the first report.
X X X
X X
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X
X
Timetable continues
Substantive activities
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
5 Identify synergies and cross-cutting analysis
Identify the common themes of the three Conventions
Identify the synergetic activities
SECOND PROGRESS REPORT
X X
X
X
X
X
X
X
6 Develop an action plan
Formulate a proposal in order to implement synergies.
X
Formulate a proposal for strengthening of capacities
X
X
X
X
Formulate a first draft of an action plan
X
X
THIRD PROGRESS REPORT
X
X
Formulate a final action plan
X
X
Publishing and dissemination of the action plan
X
Elaboration of a final report
X
X X
DELIVERY OF THE FINAL REPORT TO UNDP-GEF
X
X
7. Post-Project evaluation
16
6.
Budget (US$)
ACTIVITY
Thematic
Assessment (TA)
– Biodiversity
TA – Climate
Change
TA – Land
Degradation
STOCKTAKING
PROCESS:
Assessments,
Consultations
PRODUCT:
Assessment
Reports; Action
Plan
GEF
(US$)
(US$)
(US$)
(US$)
GOV’T InKind (US$)
TOTAL
(US$)
10,000
17,000
5,000
27,000
2,000
29,000
10,000
17,000
5,000
27,000
2,000
29,000
10,000
17,000
5,000
27,000
2,000
29,000
30,000
51,000
15,000
81,000
6,000
87,000
18,000
12,000
30,000
2,000
32,000
12,000
5,000
17,000
2,000
19,000
10,000
7,000
17,000
Thematic
Assessments
(sub-total)
Analysis of crosscutting issues and
synergies
Preparation of the
NCSA Report
Development of
the Action Plan
Project
coordination and
management
40,000
Monitoring and
Evaluation
TOTAL
30,000
131,000
39,000
17
17,000
40,000
10,000
50,000
15,000
200,000
20,000
15,000
220,000
Annex I
Organigram
High-Level
Committee:
MARN, MAGA, MEM
CONAP, INAB
Consultative Committee:
 CONADIBIO
 CVCC
 UNDP
Steering Committee:
 CBD: Technical Office of Biodiversity
 UNFCCC: Unit of Climate Change
 CCD: National Action Program for Combating
Desertification and Drought
Project Director
Thematic Consultancies
UNFCCC
18
CBD
CCD