Kiribati : Strengthening Safeguards Capacity in the Urban Sector in Kiribati

Sovereign Project | 47090-001

Agencies implementing both internally funded and development partner financed projects in Kiribati have limited experience in applying country safeguards system (CSS) and development partners' safeguard policies and this has led to inconsistency and weaknesses in implementing safeguards. There is a need to strengthen implementation of Kiribati's CSS on environment, particularly in the areas of preparing, reviewing and implementing environment assessment documents, issuance of licenses with appropriate conditions and environmental management documents and linking approved documents with the bidding/contract documents, and implementing the environmental management plan (EMP).

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Williams, Jean
    Pacific Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Kiribati
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Water and other urban infrastructure and services
Project Name Strengthening Safeguards Capacity in the Urban Sector in Kiribati
Project Number 47090-001
Country / Economy Kiribati
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 8428-KIR: Strengthening Safeguards Capacity in the Urban Sector in Kiribati
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 220,000.00
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Sector / Subsector

Health / Health insurance and subsidized health programs

Public sector management / Economic affairs management

Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban policy, institutional and capacity development

Gender
Description Agencies implementing both internally funded and development partner financed projects in Kiribati have limited experience in applying country safeguards system (CSS) and development partners' safeguard policies and this has led to inconsistency and weaknesses in implementing safeguards. There is a need to strengthen implementation of Kiribati's CSS on environment, particularly in the areas of preparing, reviewing and implementing environment assessment documents, issuance of licenses with appropriate conditions and environmental management documents and linking approved documents with the bidding/contract documents, and implementing the environmental management plan (EMP).
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The focus of this technical assistance (TA) is in direct response to a request from the Ministry of Environment, Land and Agriculture development (MELAD) to strengthen environmental safeguards and the capacity of the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) and key ministries to apply environmental safeguards in urban infrastructure developments. The MELAD and Ministry of Public Works and Utilities (MPWU) are core agencies involved in implementing the requirements of the Environment Act. However these agencies suffer from inadequate capacity to implement environmental safeguards and this has contributed to delays in implementation of development partner financed infrastructure projects. The Government has initiated several safeguard strengthening measures such as amending the Environment Act in 2007 and preparing Draft Environment Regulations. However, ECD still faces considerable obstacles in its ability to properly implement and enforce the system of environmental assessment and the framework of environmental licensing it creates. With infrastructure investments being made and other development projects now taking place, the regulatory framework requires strengthening to ensure that Kiribati's fragile environment is protected from unsustainable and environmentally destructive practices.

ADB's Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Kiribati (2010 - 2014) continues development emphasis on improved delivery of sustainable infrastructure services along with improved public financial management. Kiribati receives ADB assistance primarily in the transport and urban development sectors. The CPS notes that this will be done in alignment with the objectives of the Paris Declaration and Accra Principles which are based on strengthening and applying country systems. This TA would directly contribute to one of CPS' expected outcomes being strengthened government transparency and accountability, particularly in the sustainable development and environmental protection sector.

Impact

Improved application of environmental safeguards in the urban sector

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Strengthened capacity to implement environmental safeguards in the urban infrastructure sector.

Progress Toward Outcome Achieved. Additional TA focused on drafting amending law and regulations would further strengthen implementation.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Environmental safeguards legal review and equivalence assessment.

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) A number of reports have been submitted, these have been discussed with stakeholders. An operations manual, capturing best practices, has been prepared for ECD.
Geographical Location Nation-wide
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design Consultations with government and development partners.
During Project Implementation Consultations and workshops held throughout TA delivery aimed to engage key stakeholders.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services The TA will require a total of eight person-months of consulting services over the period 1 November 2013 to 31 December 2014
Responsible ADB Officer Williams, Jean
Responsible ADB Department Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division Transport, Energy and Natural Resources Division, PARD
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance -
Fact Finding -
MRM -
Approval 09 Aug 2013
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 17 Mar 2015

TA 8428-KIR

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
09 Aug 2013 - 09 Aug 2013 31 Dec 2014 31 Jan 2015 31 Mar 2015
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
220,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 220,000.00 17 Jun 2022 152,604.73

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Strengthening Safeguards Capacity in the Urban Sector: Technical Assistance Completion Report TA Completion Reports Aug 2015

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

No tenders for this project were found.

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.