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Draft Work Plan for the GMS Working Group on Environment1
1999-2000
Introduction
The work to be undertaken by the GMS Working Group on Environment (WGE) takes into account (i) the overriding responsibility of the WGE related to implementation of regional technical assistance (RETA); (ii) the need to better communicate the nature, objectives, strategy, and outputs of environmental work in the GMS, and to further promote coordination between GMS WGE activities and those of other agencies such as the Mekong River Commission; (iii) the need for a forum to promote continuous dialogue and exchange of information among WGE members and other GMS stakeholders; and (iv) constraints on the time of WGE members that must be devoted to duties other than those related to the GMS. The work plan was developed based on discussions undertaken during the Fifth Meeting of the WGE in Kunming, Yunnan Province, on 11-12 May 1999.
Implementation of RETAs
Subregional Environment Monitoring and Information System (SEMIS)
SEMIS was completed in 1998. At the Fourth WGE meeting, a request was made by the countries for the Bank to provide follow-up support (SEMIS II) requiring approximately $1,000,000. The Bank has approved $200,000 and is seeking co-financing for the remainder. In the meantime, Thailand has continued its SEMIS-related activities, and ASEAN has agreed to modify the SEMIS outputs in terms of the use of meta-data standards developed under SEMIS.
While two bilateral agencies have indicated strong interest in financing SEMIS II, it is increasingly likely that the remaining funds may not become available until the year 2000. The approved Bank funding of $200,000 will lapse at the end of 1999 if not utilized. Nonetheless, there is a need to maintain momentum between now and the time adequate funding does become available. The WGE has requested that a portion of the Bank funds be used now in order to maintain this momentum.
Tasks
- Review the outputs of SEMIS in light of current needs in the WGS and ASEAN's decision to utilize the SEMIS outputs.
- Convene a subregional meeting (probably also including ASEAN member states outside the GMS, and UNEP) to discuss barriers to data exchange and best procedures for linking data in the subregion. Based on the discussions, refine the proposal for SEMIS II.
- Undertake other minor activities, to be decided based on the meeting results, in order to maintain SEMIS momentum.
Subregional Environment Training and Institutional Strengthening (SETIS)
SETIS also was completed in 1998, and provided training to government staff and other professionals in the WGE on a variety of environmental topics, such as environmental impact assessment, public participation, cumulative impact assessment, and others. A sizeable volume of training materials was compiled in hard copy and on CD-ROM. The participants viewed SETIS as valuable in introducing and clarifying topics of strong relevance to environmental management in the GMS. WGE members have requested the Bank for support in translating these materials, which are now in the English language, into local languages so that they can be further used for training and reference in each of the GMS countries.
Tasks
- Collectively decide among all WGE members which of the key training materials should be translated, given restricted funds.
- Prepare national plans for employing these key materials in training programs. Identify recipients of the training materials.
- Undertake translation and distribution according to the national plans.
Ongoing RETAs
Three RETAs are ongoing: (i) Poverty Reduction and Environmental Management in Remote GMS Watersheds; (ii) Strategic Environmental Framework for the GMS; and (iii) Management and Protection of Critical Wetlands in the Lower Mekong Basin. The Poverty Reduction RETA is about to complete the first phase, at which time three sites will be selected for pre-feasibility and feasibility-level investment study. Phase II will involve preparation of the studies, and is expected to be implemented from August 1999 to August 2000. The Strategic Environmental Framework RETA is completing the inception phase, and implementation will continue until September 2000. The Critical Wetlands RETA will begin implementation in August 1999 and continue until the end of 2001. In addition, it is expected that SEMIS II will be implemented during the year 2000 (for approximately 12 months), and that at least one additional RETA will be implemented during the 2000-2001 period.
Each of these RETAs requires significant input from WGE members, as can be seen from the list of tasks below. The WGE members' involvement in RETA implementation can be considered the most important and demanding of all tasks associated with WGE work.
Tasks
- Form national steering committees and establish national offices with a national Project Manager.
- Disseminate information on the RETAs to the national steering committees and other stakeholders.
- Organize and convene national meetings.
- Ensure adequate communication and coordination in-country among all stakeholders.
- Provide support to consultant teams when they are present in the respective countries.
- Review documents produced during the TA, and provide feedback to the consultants and the Bank.
Information Dissemination and Exchange
The Fifth Meeting of the WGE identified information dissemination and exchange as critical activities that have thus far been inadequately addressed as part of WGE work. There are a number of reasons why this has been identified as a high priority, including the need to (i) avoid duplication and overlap between GMS/WGE activities and the activities of other agencies, such as the Mekong River Commission (MRC), multilateral and bilateral donors, and other major actors in the subregion; (ii) conversely, the need to take advantage of opportunities for synergism if activities among the major actors can be better coordinated through awareness of what the GMS/WGE is currently undertaking as well as proposing for future action; (iii) expand the reach of RETA and other GMS/WGE outputs, thereby maximizing their effectiveness, especially in terms of making data, concepts, lessons learned, etc., available to as wide an audience as possible; (iv) encourage dialogue among WGE members beyond that which occurs at WGE meetings; and (v) facilitate input from professionals, NGOs, and others with an interest in GMS/WGE activities, including agencies and individuals from outside the subregion.
There are three major ways that the WGE can foster information dissemination and exchange within the severe time and financial constraints facing WGE members. These include (i) taking advantage of all opportunities to make others aware of GMS/WGE activities, such as introducing the WGE at regional and national meetings where environmental management issues are discussed; (ii) preparing quarterly newsletters; and (iii) establishing a Web site on the Internet. In addition, the WGE members have, through the preparation of thematic papers, identified transboundary environmental issues of key importance in the GMS. This will be further expounded as part of the information dissemination and exchange process.
The first activity will involve preparation of a small information brochure that can be distributed at meetings. It will also involve active involvement of WGE members in bringing WGE activities to the notice of government agencies, regional agencies, NGOs, and others, as and when the opportunity arises. For example, this could include special efforts on the part of WGE member countries, who also are MRC members, to contact members of National Mekong Committees to discuss topics of mutual interest. It would also include special efforts to bring WGE activities to the notice of multilateral and bilateral donors when they are preparing their assistance programs.
The quarterly newsletters would include concise information that would update the reader on GMS/WGE activities.
The Web site, while limiting access to those who have Internet and English language capacity, does offer a number of opportunities for furthering information dissemination and exchange. Some options for developing the Web site (which will need further discussion in terms of design and priorities), include: (i) posting of RETA reports and other materials related to GMS/WGE activities; (ii) a regular (say, six-monthly) feature that provides updates on the progress of GMS RETAs and other GMS activities related to the environment; (iii) updated notifications of training opportunities in the subregion and abroad; (iv) posting of an "opinion page" where interested parties can submit comments on GMS/WGE activities or, more generally, environmental activities in or outside the subregion of relevance to the GMS; (v) a references page that provides an updated list of reports related to GMS activities; (vi) a "national environmental action" page for each country that lists and updates key information on current and proposed environmental projects, membership in international conventions, national environmental legislation, etc.; (vii) a list of national and international NGOs active in the environment sector; (viii) a "special features" page that provides information on topics of particular interest to WGE membership, e.g., tools for effective public participation.
Tasks
- Prepare an informational brochure for general dissemination.
- Active involvement of WGE members in informing others about the GMS/WGE at meetings with government agencies, donors, regional agencies, NGOs, etc.
- With support from the Bank, prepare a quarterly newsletter. Provide to WGE members for translation and distribution within their respective countries.
- Recruit an Internet Specialist to design and establish a WGE homepage on the Web. Consider providing Internet access to those WGE members without access.
- Recruit a local consultant at the Bank to assist in maintaining the Web site, drafting the informational brochure, preparing the quarterly newsletter, and keeping in touch with WGE members on all information dissemination and exchange activities.
- Further define and refine transboundary issues and strategies which the WGE considers to be of key importance in environmental management in the GMS. Use the information dissemination and exchange program to further explore these issues and to develop strategies for concrete action to address them.
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- Second draft, based on discussions at the Fifth Meeting of the Working Group on Environment, 11-12 May 1999, Kunming, Yunnan Province, PRC
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