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72
SANITATION
No. /AEDD/PFO
Subject: List of priority projects from Mali for submission to the Global Environment Facility
(GEF-5)
As part of the exercise to identify its portfolio of projects to be submitted for funding under GEF-5 (NPFE),
Mali organized a series of consultations, including a national workshop held from April 4–5, 2011. This
workshop brought together more than 60 participants representing all national actors involved in
environmental management in Mali.
I am pleased to hereby submit to you the report on this portfolio formulation exercise.
The priority project ideas selected at the conclusion of these meetings are as follows:
Biodiversity
1. The project entitled “Promotion of Ecotourism in Gourma, the Interior Delta of the Niger River,
the Dogon Plateau, and Akle-Azouad” (US$1.56 million with the World Bank); and
2. The “Regional Project to Build Capacity and Strengthen Implementation, in the WAEMU
Countries and Sub-Region, of National and Sub-Regional Frameworks on Access to Genetic
Resources and the Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Use—ABS-WAEMU” (US$0.40 million
with UNEP).
Climate Change
1. Promote the Local Production of Renewable Sources of Energy in the Great Green Wall (US$2
million with the World Bank)
2. The project entitled “Promotion of New and Renewable Sources of Energy in the Mopti and
Timbuktu Regions” (US$ 2.14 million with UNDP); and
3. The regional project entitled “Stabilizing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Road Transport
Through Doubling of Global Vehicle Fuel Economy by 2050: the Global Fuel Efficiency Initiative -
Phase II” (US$0.400 million with UNEP).
Sustainable Land Management
1. The project entitled “Promotion of Sustainable Land Management Best Practices: Restoration of
Degraded Land, Maintenance of Soil Fertility, and Management of Brush Fires” (US$2.04 million
with the World Bank);
2. The regional project entitled “Integration of Sustainable Land Management into the Development
Plans for the Sikasso, Mopti, and Timbuktu Regions” (US$1.240 million with UNDP); and
3. “Community Actions for Sustainable Land Management” (US$0.8 million with UNDP for the
SGP/GEF).
I would also like to inform you that given Mali’s deep interest in the programmatic approach, discussions
were held with the World Bank and UNDP, with a view to integrating some of these project ideas into two
programs, namely:
This will enable us to receive additional resources provided for this purpose. Both institutions were asked
to prepare the requisite concept notes, which will be forwarded to you shortly.
As you can see, our country intends to contribute to two regional projects in collaboration with UNEP, and
it is our hope that these projects will capture the attention of the other countries in question.
Mali is also requesting the support of the World Bank, UNDP, and the FAO to help it leverage financial
resources from the adaptation funds (LDCF and SCCF), through the following projects, respectively:
1. Development of a Technology Package for Training Populations in Simple Adaptation to Climate
Change Practices (US$2 million with the World Bank);
2. “Adaptation to Climate Change Capacity Building for the Poorest Populations in the
Communities in the Mopti and Timbuktu Regions” (US$1.5 million with UNDP); and
3. “Resilience Building in the face of Climate Change through the Integrated Management of
Agriculture and Livestock Production under the ‘Sustainable Land Management’ Approach in the
Sahelian Zone in Mali” (US$1.5 million with the FAO).
April 2011
I. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS
After the 5th replenishment of the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Trust Fund, the GEF
Operational Focal Point in Mali coordinated a national exercise to establish national priorities for
the use of GEF-5 resources. This exercise seeks to provide Mali with a framework document,
which would serve as the basis for the programming of GEF-5 resources through a consultation
process between the technical departments of the Government and the other stakeholders
involved in the management of the environment. This exercise incorporated all stakeholders
involved in the protection of the environment, including the focal points for environmental
conventions, representatives from ministries, NGOs, civil society, the private sector, and the
GEF Implementing Agencies.
In order to effectively conduct the exercise, Mali requested financial support of US$30,000, set
aside by the GEF for this purpose. Once the initial support was received, through the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding, the Environment and Sustainable Development Agency
(AEDD) had to pre-finance certain consultation activities before this sum was made available for
its use.
This report summarizes and gives an account of the main results of the activities conducted.
II. CONSULTATIONS
The organizational approach is divided into several stages, based on a consultation process led
by the department responsible for the environment and the GEF Implementing Agencies (the
World Bank, UNDP, and FAO), and the organization of a national consultation workshop for the
consolidation and prioritization of ideas according to national strategies. The workshop brought
together all national actors represented on the National Environmental Council (CNE). The
Council constitutes the space for consultation that provides strategic and policy guidelines for the
protection of the environment. It brings together ministries and institutions as well as actors from
civil society and the private sector. It is chaired by the Minister of Environment and Sanitation
and has 67 members (cf. decree No.10-390/PM-RM of July 26, 2010, on the creation and
operational modalities of the National Environmental Council). The list of participants in the
various consultations is provided in Annex 1. To publicize GEF’s activities in Mali, the press
(ORTM) was invited to cover the national workshop.
In preparing for the national workshop, a series of preliminary working meetings were held with
convention focal structures within the environmental department and with the GEF
Implementing Agencies, which sought to have more in-depth exchanges on the first ideas
recorded. The various consultations are summarized below:
December 20, 2010: working meeting with the structures within the environmental department,
including the focal points for the GEF focal areas. The meeting allowed for the recording
of the first project ideas and their prioritization. An initial list of projects was drawn up.
This served as the basis for exchanges during the national workshop.
January 12, 2011: working meeting with FAO. The AEDD held one working meeting with Jean
Marie Laurent from FAO on the project idea “Resilience Building in the face of Climate
Change through the Integrated Management of Agriculture and Livestock Production
under the Sustainable Land Management Approach in the Sahelian Zone.”
March 2, 2011: working meeting with the World Bank. The AEDD had to have dialogue with
Ms. Paola Agostini (TerrAfrica and GEF Regional Coordinator, AFTEN-World Bank,
Washington) and Mr. Taoufiq Bennouna (World Bank Office, Bamako) on the concept
note for a regional program on the Great Green Wall. The working meeting followed the
ministerial consultation on the subject, held on February 19 in Bonn, and exchanges that
the Malian delegation had with World Bank colleagues. The program provides a flexible
framework that facilitates a response to the priorities of each country impacted by the
Great Green Wall Initiative. The exchanges focused on the objective of the program,
which seeks to promote the adoption of sustainable land and water management to
improve the livelihoods that are dependent on natural resources and the operation of the
ecosystem, and on Mali’s potential contribution to the Initiative. Mali intends to set aside
a portion of its individual allocations from the System for Transparent Allocation of
Resources (STAR) for more than two different focal areas, in order to receive the
additional allocation under the window for sustainable forest management. When
combined with Least Developed Country (LDC) funds, this amounts to a total envelope
of US$12 million, which is in keeping with GEF’s strategic preferences.
March 31, 2011: working meeting with the UNDP on the inclusion of two project ideas in a
national capacity-building program for the management of natural resources and the
environment. Such a program could receive cofinancing from the United Nations system
valued at US$14 million.
The consultation workshop on the priority project portfolio to be submitted to the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) was held from April 4–5, 2011 at the Mande Hotel in Bamako.
Organized by the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, through the Environment and
Sustainable Development Agency, this workshop brought together over sixty (60) participants
representing national and local elected officials, technical units, civil society, and development
partners. The workshop forms part of the exercise that Mali has undertaken for the formulation
of the project portfolio to be submitted for GEF-5 funding.
The general aim is to provide Mali with a project portfolio that will serve as the basis for the
programming of GEF-5 resources, through a consultation process between the technical
departments of the Government and the other stakeholders involved in environmental
management. Specifically, this means:
• Informing participants about GEF opportunities and its mechanism, the STAR;
• Drawing up an indicative list of projects, which could be developed and submitted for GEF-5
funding with a cost estimate; and
• Identifying the priority areas for the submission of the request for financing to the GEF for
the period 2010–2014, by giving an outline of how the implementation of these projects will
help fulfill the obligations to the Conventions (CBD, CCD, UNFCCC).
The opening ceremony was chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and
Sanitation, Mr. Abdoulaye Berthe. The proceedings were conducted by Mr. Souleymane Cisse
(Technical Adviser/MES) and Adideye Mai'ga (Chairman of the Rural Development Committee
of the National Assembly).
In order to ensure that the participants were fully apprised, the workshop provided
communications on:
• the GEF and Mali’s project portfolio;
• strategic guidelines in the areas of biodiversity, international waters, POPs, climate
change and land degradation, through the Strategic Investment Framework for
Sustainable Land Management;
• the Great Green Wall Initiative; and
• the Small Grants Programme.
Subsequently, three (3) working groups were established around the GEF focal areas. These are:
Each group was mandated to add to the list of projects initially drafted and select priority
projects in the GEF focal areas for the period 2010–2014.
The country’s economic activities are based essentially on the exploitation of natural resources
(soil, plant cover, water, and aquatic and land fauna). The already high demand for these
resources is expected to increase, owing to population growth and diverse needs for agricultural,
livestock, and forest products. This trend is likely to continue and may end up accelerating the
degradation and desertification process.
Compared to the average for the period 1961-1990, rainfall has been low. The ensuing
phenomenon is drought, the harmful effects of which are, among others, insufficient water
resources, the destruction of forest resources, the premature drying up of ponds and lakes, the
decline in fish stocks, and the degradation of ecosystems.
An analysis of the problem of managing these natural resources shows the continued use of
agricultural systems that are for the most part extensive and unsuitable, and unfavorable climate
conditions, with successive periods of drought and the reduction in rainfall, resulting in
significant degradation of natural resources and the environment.
In several places, this situation has resulted in a weakening of the natural ecosystems and a
disruption of the balance between uses to meet the needs of humans and animals, and the
conservation of natural resources.
More than 100,000 hectares of forest disappear each year after land clearing for agricultural use.
Some 400,000 hectares were cleared to produce an overall estimated five million metric tons of
fuel wood and charcoal; this level is projected to exceed seven million metric tons in 2010,
which is equivalent to 560,000 hectares.
In the North of the country, in the Sahelian and sub-Sahelian zone (more than 2/3 of the surface
area), there is an alarming progression of the desertification process over a vast sparsely
populated area, with a major risk of silting of communication infrastructures and human
settlements, as well as the Niger river, and the Delta system, comprising ponds and lakes. In the
South, and more particularly around urban centers, in the vicinity of the Niger office, in the
cotton and mining basin, the pressure on available resources is increasing at an alarming rate,
since these are the resources that currently help meet food and energy needs.
In light of this degradation, Mali has developed sectoral strategies covering the GEF focal areas.
They are summarized below:
The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan developed in 2001, as well as the National
Meetings on the Environment, held in 2009, provided the policy guidelines for biodiversity
conservation in Mali:
Knowledge Improvement:
• Have a national knowledge (general ecology, taxonomy, meteorology, genetic engineering,
etc.) and research bank on biological diversity;
• Have a register of areas that are of interest because of specific flora, fauna, and ecosystems;
• Improve knowledge on the operation of ecosystems and plant and animal species of
ecological or economic interest;
• Improve knowledge on the national genetic pool of plants cultivated, related wildlife species,
races of domestic animals, and wild species;
• Have a national monitoring and surveillance system for biodiversity resources; and
• Have a record of traditional knowledge and practices on biological diversity.
Conservation of Resources
• Promote the establishment and maintenance of an integrated and representative network of
protected areas (parks, fauna reserves, fish reserves, protected forests, etc.), covering 15
percent of the country’s total surface area;
• Promote the sustainable use of flora and fauna;
• Ensure the preservation, or even the restoration, in a localized manner, of wild flora and
fauna at risk of extinction;
• Ensure the in situ conservation of cultivated local plants and races of animals at risk of
disappearing; and
• Promote ex situ conservation of local species.
Development
• Promote experimentation and the implementation of sustainable development models
integrating the conservation of biological diversity;
• Promote ecological tourism at sites with a high potential in terms of biological resources; and
• Guarantee access to genetic resources and the equitable distribution of the benefits arising
from their use.
Biotechnology
• Promote the use of biotechnologies in the development of biological resources and the
preservation of endangered species;
• Ensure biosecurity; and
• Prevent and manage risks related to the handling, stocking, and transfer of living organisms
modified by biotechnology.
The guidelines for sustainable land management are found in the Strategic Investment
Framework on Sustainable Land Management (SIF-SLM). Mali’s vision for Sustainable Land
Management is as follows: “By 2025, Mali’s strong political commitment will have led to the
reversal of ongoing land degradation trends in the country, the improvement in the population’s
quality of life, and poverty reduction, thereby making Mali a benchmark country for SLM.” In
general, the SIF-SLM seeks to “sustainably reverse land degradation trends by involving all
actors.” More specifically this means:
Scaling up the use of SLM best practices to combat land degradation and biodiversity
loss, and adapting to climate change; and
Strengthening the technical and financial institutional capacities of the relevant actors in
order to incorporate SLM into the country’s development policies.
The areas of intervention are:
On-the-ground support for activities to scale up SLM
– Assisted Natural Regeneration Program (RNA)
– Soil Conservation and Restoration (SCR)/Water and Soil Conservation (WSC) Program
for the maintenance of soil fertility and to support the development of an Intensive Rice
Production System (SRI)
– Program for the intensification of reforestation
– Management and development program for pastoral areas
– Rural land tenure security program
– Management program for forests and protected areas
– Program to combat brush fires
– Program to combat water and soil pollution
– Program to promote fishing and aquaculture
Strengthening of an enabling environment for SLM
– Support program for the improvement of the institutional environment
Strengthening of advisory and commercial services that support SLM
– Support program for the coordinated planning of national commercial priorities that
support SLM
– Support program for the promotion of investment initiatives and development of
products resulting from SLM best practices
Development of effective SLM knowledge acquisition and management, monitoring and
evaluation, and information dissemination systems
– SLM knowledge management program
– Program for monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the SIF-SLM: The
evaluation mechanism
Implementation of a communication strategy to support SLM ownership and the adoption
of best practices
– National SLM information, education, and communication program
Capacity building for all SLM actors to encourage the implementation of the SIF-SLM
– Technical capacity-building program for actors (civil society, private sector, regional and
local authorities, public sector, producers’ organization, etc.) involved in SLM
Mali is a country that is very vulnerable to CC. Climate forecast models project a significant
increase in temperatures, a decrease in rainfall, and an intensification of extreme weather
phenomena (droughts, floods) in Mali in the decades to come.
Cognizant of its tremendous vulnerability to CC, Mali has had a national CC adaptation plan
since 2007. Mali tries to take the harmful effects of CC into account in commune-level planning
and development projects through adaptation actions.
In terms of greenhouse gas emission reductions, and despite the low level of emissions from this
country, little effort has been made since 2003 to take advantage of the Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM) and the carbon market, and to develop clean and sustainable projects. In
2010, the PO MC/MDP Mali (Carbon Market/Clean Development Mechanism) project provided
greater insight into Mali’s carbon potential, the opportunities in this area, and also how to
organize the governance of this aspect of carbon.
The adaptation priorities established through the National Adaptation Plan of Action exercise
are:
Mali’s waterways and aquifers (surface and underground waters) are almost entirely
international waters. In light of this reality, Mali has undertaken to use intra-basin cooperation as
a framework for development.
This will entail improving the management of Mali’s international waters and, above all,
ensuring that Mali derives as much benefit as possible from the international nature of its
waterways and aquifer systems.
Mali will provide greater support so that basin organizations can implement the frames of
reference for their sustainable development (Action Plan, Investment Programs, and Water
Charter). Cooperation will have to be developed around the aquifer systems identified
(Oullimenden, Taoudenni, interior Delta, and Gondo) in order to optimize, in the future, the use
of underground water resources. Mali will work more closely with regional and international
organizations in the area of water, to improve cooperation in terms of the sustainable
management of shared waters.
Cooperation on International Waters according to the National Water Policy Document:
• The joint management of international waters will be preferred and, with this in mind, the
following actions will be implemented:
• Specification of the objectives, the organization, and operational modalities of
consultation bodies within countries with respect to issues related to the management of
international waters
• Negotiation of international agreements for the establishment of committees for the
management and protection of international waters
• Facilitation of the exchange of experiences and information on water, the harmonization
of measurement methods, meetings among specialists
• Identification of priority areas for consultation on cooperation activities
• Promotion of the harmonization of measurement methods, and mechanisms for
monitoring and processing information on water to facilitate the exchange of data and
joint planning
• Holding of a public consultation on mechanisms to prevent and settle conflicts, and
prevent damage related to floods or pollution
Mali’s Commitments to the Management of International Waters
At the regional level:
• To this end, Mali is a member of all the relevant transboundary basin organizations:
Niger Basin Authority (ABN), Senegal River Basin Organization (OMVS), Volta Basin
Authority (ABV);
• The actions of basin organizations should help address the issues and challenges in
common priority areas of development, namely:
• the preservation of ecosystems;
• the development of socioeconomic infrastructures;
• capacity building and the participation of actors;
• participation in activities of the Water Resources Coordination Center of ECOWAS,
responsible for the effective implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management
(IWRM) in West Africa;
• participation in the process underway for the establishment of a management institution
for the transboundary aquifer system; and
• participation in the activities of the African Union/New Partnership for Africa’s
Development (AU/NEPAD), and the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).
At the international level, ratify and implement:
• international conventions affecting areas strongly linked to water (the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses,
Conventions on Biodiversity and Climate Change, Ramsar, Desertification); and
• the statements and commitments made during major United Nations Conferences on
water, the environment, and sustainable development.
•
3.5 Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) was ratified by Mali on May
20, 2003. To protect and sustainably use the environment and, in particular, protect the health of
human beings, the Government of Mali, through a long participatory process, developed the
current National Implementation Plan (NIP), which includes all aspects of the concept of
protecting the environment and health from Persistent Organic Pollutants. The drafting of this
National Implementation Plan provided the opportunity to do a baseline study on the natural
resources, ecosystems, and policies applied in these areas. This plan includes the following
guidelines regarding the management of POPs:
Elimination of POP pesticides
Mali is not a pesticide-producing or importing country; however, there are large stocks of
POP pesticides in several warehouses. All pesticides used in the country are imported and wb295088 7/25/11 3:13 PM
Comment: The translator has remained faithful
come from neighboring countries. Several ministries regulate the production and/or to the source French text, despite the apparent
formulation of pesticides in Mali. The elimination of these POPs must be done through contradictory sentences under this sub-heading.
The author (s) may wish to revisit this
an action plan presented in the NIP. paragraph.
Reduction of dioxins and furans
Dioxins and furans are produced involuntarily by heat sources. Slash-and-burn
cultivation, brush fires, and the poor management of municipal and biomedical waste are
the main sources of dioxin and furan emissions in Mali. Most of the best techniques
available and the best environmental practices are not used because they are too costly.
The NIP, which is a policy paper, lists as a priority the reduction in the discharge of these
substances.
Ecologically sound management of PCBs
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are chemical products formed by substituting one to
ten chlorine atoms onto the biphenyl aromatic structure, and are represented by a possible
collection of two hundred and nine (209) different compounds and the general formula
C12HxCly, where x = 0 - 9 and y = (10-x). In Mali, PCBs are governed by the following
legislation:
• Law 01-020 of May 31, 2001 on pollution and nuisances; and
• Decree No. 2699/MICT (Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Transportation) of
October 6, 2001.
The financing of the costs for the destruction of PCBs is a discussion that highlights the
responsibility of several actors, including owners and manufacturers of PCBs. These
products are extremely dangerous, which is why they must be managed in an ecologically
sound manner.
IV. PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR SUBMISSION FOR FUNDING UNDER THE STAR
Regional Project to Build Capacity and 0.40 UNEP Contribution to the regional
Strengthen Implementation, in the project
WAEMU Countries and Sub-Region, of
National and Sub-Regional Frameworks
on Access to Genetic Resources and the
Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Use
- ABS-WAEMU
Climate Promote the Local Production of 1.0 World Bank Mali’s contribution to the
Change Renewable Sources of Energy in the Great Great Green Wall Initiative
Green Wall program
Promotion of New and Renewable 2.14 UNDP Climate change component of
Sources of Energy in the Mopti and the natural resource
Timbuktu Regions management capacity-
building program
Sustainable Promotion of Sustainable Land 2.04 World Bank Mali’s contribution to the
Land Management Best Practices (Restoration Great Green Wall Initiative
Management of Degraded Land, Maintenance of Soil program
Fertility, Management of Brush Fires,
etc.)
Integration of Sustainable Land 1.20 UNDP The “sustainable land
Management into the Development Plans management” component of
for the Sikasso, Mopti, and Timbuktu the natural resource and
Regions (US$14 million - UNDP) environmental management
(US$1.240 million) capacity-building program
Community Actions for Sustainable Land 0.80 UNDP Contribution to the Small
Management (SGP/GEF) Grants Programme
1. The project entitled “Reversing Water Degradation Trends in the Niger Basin in Mali”
(CFAF 767 million).
2. Niger River Bank Management Project in Tamani and Segou (CFAF 800,000,000). The
study has already been conducted. The bidding documents have been prepared and co-
financing is possible. The study provides for mechanical and organic management.
3. The project to Protect International Waters in Faleme Against the Harmful Effects of
Traditional Gold Panning (pollution and obstruction of the river bed) - Cost: CFAF
450,000,000).
1. National Program to Eliminate POPs (US$3 million, with a contribution expected from
the national budget). The program will target:
– capacity building in the collection and elimination of POP pesticides (US$3 million,
GEF);
– dioxin and furan emissions reduction;
– the updating of the National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention; and
– NGO/CBO community actions (SGP/GEF).
2. The Regional Pesticide Management Capacity-Building Program for the Member States
of the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS).
3. The project to “Build Capacity for Community Monitoring of the Impact of POPs in
Mali’s Cotton-Growing Areas” (under enabling activities).
Mali has a keen interest in the programmatic approach. Discussions were therefore held with the
World Bank and UNDP, respectively, with a view to integrating some of these selected ideas
into two programs. With respect to the World Bank, the program relates to Mali’s contribution to
the Great Green Wall Initiative. As regards UNDP, the program concerns capacity building in
sustainable natural resource and environmental management in Mali. Both institutions have been
asked to prepare the requisite concept notes, which will be forwarded to you shortly.
VII. PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL PROJECTS
Mali intends to use its individual allocations to contribute to the following two regional projects:
1. The Regional Project to Build Capacity and Strengthen Implementation, in the WAEMU
Countries and Sub-Region, of National and Sub-Regional Frameworks on Access to
Genetic Resources and the Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Use — ABS-
WAEMU; and
2. The “Stabilizing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Road Transport Through Doubling of
Global Vehicle Fuel Economy by 2050: the Global Fuel Efficiency Initiative - Phase II”
project.
VIII. ANNEXES
Chair
/s/
Souleymane Cissé
TA/MES
First Rapporteur
/s/
Alamir Sinna Touré
GEF Focal Point
Second Rapporteur
/s/
Mori Moussa Konaté
SECO-NGO