Deon Alexander StewartDeputy Chief Health Inspector

BEST CommissionMinistry of the Environment

The GEF Political Focal Point and GEF Operational Focal Point resides in the BEST Commission, Ministry of the Environment along with Focal Points for CBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC, Ramsar, IWCAM, POPs, Ozone, and other MEAs.

Continuity of technical officers responsible for GEF supported activities at BEST.

BEST Coordinates all National Committees on the Environment

Committees are supported by stakeholders of government agencies, non-government organizations and wider community.

Ministry of the Environment

BEST (OFP & PFP)

CBD FCCC CCD POPs Ramsar IWCAM Ozone

BiodivCommitte

e

FCCC Committee

POPs NCCWetlands

CommitteeIWCAM

Steering Cs

Communities Government AgenciesNGOs

Project partnership with BEST and other government agencies, BNT, TNC to act as a coordinating committee in project development and implementation.

Co-financing is provided for projects through cash and in-kind contributions from both Government and NGOs to assist with project implementation

Through coordination with focal points for MEAs the Bahamas has been able to leverage GEF support for projects under the following focal areas.

Biodiversity Climate Change POPs International Waters Land Degradation

Updated information on CSP page in 2007 and will provide a 2008 update

Use to post GEF documents, reports, meetings, workshop callendar

Host a number of stakeholder workshops to provide additional information and awareness to stakeholders

Use of CSP to Convene two constituency meetings per year prior to Council Meetings

National GEF supported the National Capacity Self Assessment project which resulted in a National Environment Management and Action Plan (NEMAP)

Bahamas has participated in regional GEF activities like the National Biosafety Framework (NBF) project

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) project for the Caribbean

BEST as the Executing agency for the GEF projects has worked with UNDP, UNEP, WB in executing GEF supported projects at the national level

Success in implementation has been made in many focal areas.

BEST has initiated national consultations with all national environmental committees for the development of GEF project concepts for Bahamas

GEF Operational Focal Point and GEF Political Focal Point review recommendations on project concepts submitted by national committees

Mr. Deon StewartBEST Commission, Ministry of the Environment

Email: deon_stewart@yahoo.comPhone +2423224546

Fax +2423263509www.best.bs