Regions and Countries

	Table of Contents
p. 14 of 20 BACK | NEXT I. Introduction II. Background and Rationale III. Economic and Social Trends IV. Program Review - Lessons Learned V. Strategic Directions of the GMS Program for 2001-2003 VI. Sector Properties and Proposed Program for 2001-2003 A. Transport B. Energy C. Telecommunications D. Tourism E. Environment F. Human Resource Development G. Trade H. Investment VII. ADB's Operational Program VIII. Coordination with Donor Agencies and Regional Institutions IX. Cofinancing and Catalyzing External Resources

GMS Assistance Plan : VI. Sector Properties and Proposed Program for 2001-2003

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E. Environment

86. The GMS countries share common resources and face similar issues and problems for resources management, and therefore would benefit by coordinating their efforts to protect shared resources. Subregional cooperation in environment under the GMS Program, initially involved improving capacities for database development and information exchange, and training and institutional development of GMS countries. Two ADB-assisted TA projects -- the Subregional Environmental Monitoring and Information System (SEMIS)¹⁷ and the Subregional Environmental Training and Institutional Strengthening (SETIS)¹⁸ -- both completed in 1998, helped to demonstrate the value of regional cooperation and coordination in developing environmental information and monitoring systems and raising environmental awareness and capacity among Government staff. A follow up project, SEMIS II¹⁹ , will build on the earlier SEMIS by focusing on development of national databases pertaining to issues of national and subregional importance.

87. Subsequent subregional activities developed a common framework for tackling shared environmental issues and problems. The ongoing TA on the Strategic Environmental Framework (SEF)²⁰ , will promote early consideration of environmental and social considerations in economic development planning, focusing on the water resource development and transport sectors. The SEF is directed at the GMS Program specifically, and at each of the GMS countries generally. The SEF is identifying high-risk, environmentally fragile areas (“hotspots”) to which particular attention must be paid when planning development projects. It is also identifying strategic steps that can be taken at the program level to enhance environmental protection and help avoid the social, environmental, and economic costs that have been experienced in the past because of poorly-informed decision making. Two ongoing TA projects, involving transboundary environmental action will reinforce the institution of the SEF. The project on Protection and Management of Critical Wetlands of the Lower Mekong Basin²¹ , promotes integrated resource management in regionally significant wetlands. The project on Poverty Reduction and Environmental Management in Remote Watersheds²² , addresses the related problems of poverty and environmental degradation. Both projects will eventually identify and prepare investment projects on sustainable resource management.

88. Watershed development is one of the priority areas in the GMS Program’s ongoing and planned activities, in view of the serious degradation of critical watersheds in GMS. The TA involves the development of a framework of mutually consistent policies, standards and guidelines to halt and reverse current trends in deforestation and environmental degradation. The TA will also be preparing investment proposals to address the inter-related issues of poverty reduction and environmental protection in selected remote watersheds. The Interim Report for the TA has identified the various forms of community-based project assistance to introduce sustainable livelihood practices in the watersheds, supported by irrigation, extension services, food (grains) and cattle banks, and improved credit access. Basic infrastructure will also be undertaken to enhance physical access of rural communities through roads and bridges, and improve their living conditions through village water supply and sanitation, schools, health facilities, and electricity.

89. For 2001-2003, subregional cooperation will continue to complement ADB’s country programs for the environment. ADB and the GMS countries will increasingly utilize the SEF to guide activities in program and project planning, especially in the transport and energy sectors where social and environmental impacts are most serious. With the recovery of GMS economies, transboundary environment issues should be accorded greater priority and significance, given increased pressure on the resource base. Over the longer term, with the SEF in place, the key challenge is to further enhance the capacity and readiness of the GMS governments to cooperate on transborder environmental issues. These are: deforestation; downstream hydropower development impact; biodiversity losses and trade in wildlife; encroachment on protected areas due to transport projects; and pollution of waterways.

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