National Dialogue Initiative

IRAN’S NATIONAL STRATEGY AND PRORITIES FOR GEF-4

Iran GEF National DialogueTehran, 30 April – 1 May 2007

Iran’s Objectives for the GEF-4

Absorbing the maximum funds allocated to Iran’s projects during GEF-4;

Making the necessary capacity for designing and timely implementation of GEF funded projects;

Diversification of projects through entering other GEF related activities;

Supporting creation of a wider GEF Resource Allocation Framework;

Maintaining the GEF/SGP achievements in Iran through allocation of the required funds;

GEF Allocation for Iran’s Projects Under the RAF

Bio-diversity Projects:

- $ 6,700,000.

Climate Change Projects:

- $ 16,500,000.

Total GEF Allocation:

- $ 23,200,000.

Iran’s priorities set forth by its 4th National Development Plan

* Biodiversity:- Bio-safety management- Sustainable forest management- Sustainable management of protected areas- Coastal and marine eco-system management

* Climate Change (mitigation and adaptation)- Energy Efficiency- Renewable sources of Energy- Sustainable transportation in big cities

* International Waters- Restoration of Hamun (Sistan) basin

* Land Degradation- Afforestation and reforestation

* Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS)- Sound chemicals management (Pesticides and wastes

management)

Iran’s project proposals for GEF-4

1-Biodiversity:* Integrated Management of Caspian Forests with the Participation

of Local Communities in Selected Pilot Areas; Building on Yakhkesh Experience, $ 600,000 + $ 300,000, Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization;

* Ecosystem-based Participatory Approaches to the Selection and Management of Protected Areas in Iran, $ 1,200,000 + $ 500,000, Department of Environment;

* Support to the Implementation of the National Bio-Safety Framework in Iran, $ 600,000 + $ 150,000, Department of Environment

* Protection of Marine Eco-System in Coastal Areas through Community Based Activities, $ 750,000, Fisheries Organization (Shilat)

* Sustainable Forest Management for Arid, Semi-Arid and Dry-Sub humid Lands through Contribution of Local Communities, $ 900,000, Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization;

* Sustainable Agriculture and Reducing Land Degradation through Community-Based Agro-Forestry Activities, $ 900,000, Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization;

Iran’s project proposals for GEF-4

2- Climate Change (mitigation and adaptation)* Industrial energy efficiency improvement, $ 2,500,000.,

Ministry of Energy (under discussion);* Removal of barriers to large scale commercial wind

energy development, Ministry of Energy, ($ 5,725,000., approved during GEF-3, to be implemented in GEF-4);

* Tehran transport emission reduction, $ 6,000,000., Organization of Transportation and Traffic Control of Tehran;

Projects to be decided for inclusion in GEF-4:• Removal of Barriers for Wide Scale Adoption of Solar Water

Heaters, $ 2,000,000., IFCO;• Residential Energy Efficiency, $ 3,000,000., IFCO

Iran’s project proposals for GEF-4

3- International Waters:

* Restoration Protection and Sustainable Use of Hamun (Sistan) Basin, $ 2,000,000, Ministry of Energy;

Iran’s project proposals for GEF-4

4- Land Degradation:

* Resubmission of Sustainable Land Management Project into GEF pipeline, Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization;

* Controlling wind erosion critical foci (WECF) through participation of local communities for preventing the degradation of natural resources, GEF grant $ 950,000., Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization;

* Mitigating the adverse impacts of desertification through participation of local communities in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid watersheds, $ 975,000., Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization;

Iran’s project proposals for GEF-4

5- Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS)

* Ongoing Project: Preparation of the POPs National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention (Enabling activity Project), $ 496,000, Department of Environment;

* Demonstration of Sustainable Alternatives to DDT and Strengthening of National Vector Control Capabilities in Middle East and North Africa”, $ 1,450,000, Ministry of Health;

Iran’s project proposals for GEF-4

6- Small Grant Program (SGP)

* During GEF-4, an amount of $ 1,600,000 is going to be allocated for SGP projects in two focal areas of Bio-diversity and climate change.

* This amount includes $ 800,000. ($ 200,000. annually) for each of the said focal area under the RAF system during GEF-4.

The list of Criteria for selection of Iran’s project proposals during GEF-4

The set of criteria as a prerequisite for undertaking the selection process:

* Fit with the GEF Strategies and eligibility criteria

* Country priorities

* Low risk of Failure and high potential for successful outcomes

* Sustainability and replicability

* Involving diversified partners

* Building on past experiences (including the GEF SGP projects) and available knowledge

* Involving a multitude of ecosystems/species

* Conducive to participatory approaches