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ICEM Projects in Detail:
ICEM / MONRE / IIED Workshop on climate change adaptation in development policies, plans and programs in Vietnam:
Hanoi, 22nd October 2007, ICEM with MONRE and IIED conducted a workshop on climate change adaptation in development policies, plans and programs in Vietnam. 60 representatives from
different ministries, donors, international development organizations, and projects attended the workshop.
This workshop was a forum to stimulate in-country discussion on opportunities for mainstreaming climate change adaptation into key development planning processes in Vietnam and to
provide suggestions for the relevant projects undertaken by the participating government and international partners. It is being undertaken as part of MONRE’s Office of Climate
Change’s on-going program, the IIED global initiative “Considering Climate Change Adaptation Issues in Development Policies, Plans and Programs”, and ICEM’s work on implications of
climate changes on coastal areas in Vietnam.
The workshop focused on the following issues:
- Understanding key risks posed by the climate change and the need for awareness raising of decision-makers and planners
- Main options for integrating climate change adaptation into development planning
- Key planning instruments relating, for example, to land-use, socio-economic development, water resource management, and the coastal zone
management which need to be adjusted to address climate change
- Main opportunities for considering climate change adaptation within these planning processes and recommendations for their further development
- Key assessment instruments (SEA and EIA) and the main opportunities for using them to consider climate change adaptation and recommendations for
their further development
- Recommendations for possible innovations in future policies, legislative/procedural frameworks, institutional arrangements and capacity
Key issues raised in discussion and the main outcomes and suggested areas for innovation and improvement arising at the workshop have be recorded in this summary report.
It will be used as a framework of discussion points within government and between government and the international community on priorities for action and coordination of
effort in this field.
The summary report identifies key opportunities and challenges for integration of climate change adaptation issues into development planning processes. The report and future discussion
on the points it makes may be used for elaboration of future projects and collaboration on climate change.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Multi Annual Adaptation Strategy (MAAS) of Mauritius:
The European Commission requires a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to be carried out for the Mauritius "Multi-Annual Adaptation Strategy- Action Plan
2006-2015: Safeguarding the future through consensus" (MAAS) and for the EC support to this "MAAS".
Read and download details about this project.
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Effective Management of World Heritage Sites and Capacity-Building for Protected Areas in the Marshall Islands:
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Country: Marshall Islands
Period: 2006-2007
Client:
The Coastal Management Advisory Council (CMAC)
Donor: Australian Regional Natural Heritage Programme (RNHP)
Progress: Progress Report
and Appendices
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The project “Effective Management of World Heritage Sites and Capacity-Building for Protected Areas in the Marshall Islands” was devised by the International
Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM) in consultation and partnership with the national working group, the Coastal Management Advisory Council (CMAC) of
the Marshall Islands. The Project is funded by the Australian Regional Natural Heritage Programme (RNHP), commenced in November 2006 and is scheduled to
complete in May 2007. An ICEM team is working closely with key natural resource management agencies, including the national fisheries authority (MIMRA) and
the environmental protection authority (RMIEPA) as well as educational institutions and local NGOs in order to support ongoing conservation area planning and
policy processes.
The Marshall Islands is currently develolping nominations for two World Heritage sites; Bikini Atoll and Ailinginae Atoll. This project is supporting the
community consultation processes and the development of management plans for these sites, which are intended to stand as flagship conservation areas for the
Marshall Islands.
The other major focus of the project is to build capacity at national insititutional level by facilitating the development of a National Conservation Area Plan,
reviewing and providing guidance on the legal framework for conservation areas and by clarifying roles and responsibilities of national agencies in order to work
together collaboratively on community-based conservation and resource management.
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Asian Development Bank SEA of the Hydropower Sector – Vietnam
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Country: Vietnam
Period: 2006-2007
Client:
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Energy Vietnam (EVN), Ministry of Industry (MOI)
Donor: The Asian Development Bank
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This pilot Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) focuses on one river basin in Vietnam. SEA is now a legal requirement in Vietnam but it is a new tool and
awareness, understanding and capacity in its use is in early stages. The ADB is providing technical assistance (TA) and training to support capacity building
for SEA and Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA). The TA includes the development of a pilot SEA in the hydropower sector in Vietnam to assist in achieving
sustainable energy development in the country. The pilot considers all planned and committed hydropower and other development activities in the Vu Gia -
Thu Bon River basin in Central Vietnam. The assessment is demonstrating the process and benefits of SEA/CIA in identifying likely positive and negative impacts
on environmental variables in the watershed. Key outputs will include recommendations on the mitigation and monitoring of impacts and technical, policy and
institutional guidance for SEA and hydropower development in the Basin. It is acting as a pilot and demonstration for application of SEA of hydropower in other
river basins and for national and provincial hydropower plans.
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World Bank SEA of the Hydropower Sector Pilot Project - Vietnam:
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Country: Vietnam
Period: 2006
Client:
Energy Vietnam (EVN)
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE)
Donor: The World Bank
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This project focuses on producing a pilot SEA that will be used for early identification and assessment of the likely significant natural habitats-related
impacts, positive and negative of the proposed program of hydropower development in Vietnam. Broadly, the pilot study aims to demonstrate the value of
the SEA in integrating environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of EVN Hydropower plans. In particular, the study would demonstrate
the value of the SEA in assessing impacts and defining mitigation options at the program level. It seeks to demonstrate how SEA can overcome limitations
inherent in the project by project approach to EIA such as timeliness of findings; limited influence on project choice or design; inefficient use of technical
services or expertise; inefficient targeting of new studies; limited value added to national knowledge base. The specific objectives of the study are to assess
the significance of the biodiversity impacts of the proposed hydropower plan, and to define alternative mitigation and management strategies. It will identify
key resources, institutions, skills required to implement such strategies, identify key information gaps which would be needed to support site specific planning,
and define standards and methodologies for assessing site specific problems with regard to biodiversity. The project works through a focus group of government
specialist in the energy and environment sectors supported by an ICEM and Birdlife International technical team.
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Greater Mekong Subregion Core Environment Program:
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Country: Greater Mekong Subregion - Cambodia, Yunnan PRC, Lao PDR, Thailand, Vietnam
Period: 2004 - 2005
Technical Partners: Asian Development Bank
Donors: Asian Development Bank
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ICEM is providing on-going technical support to the Asian Development Bank in design, facilitation and consultation relating to the Greater Mekong Subregion
Core Environment Program. The CEP is a systematic and integrated approach to conserve the natural systems of the GMS for the ecosystem services they provide.
It focuses on the most important fields of action over the next ten years to ensure the sustainability of GMS economic development. The 6 components of the
Program provide the means to address the immediate and long-term stresses that rapid economic growth would otherwise have on the environment and natural resources
of the region. One component – on biodiversity conservation – has received special attention. It has two related elements–restoration and conservation of
biodiversity and ecosystem services within (i) protected areas and (ii) corridors of land and water linking them. Both parts of this component focus on landscapes
within the GMS of the highest priority for biodiversity conservation action.
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GEF National Strategy Support Project:
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Country: Vietnam
Period: 2006
Client: GEF Vietnam
Donor:
UNDP
The World Bank
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Through this project an ICEM team provides guidance on the shape and content of Vietnam's National GEF Strategy with draft objectives, approach, priorities
and a proposed approach to monitoring and reporting. Also it proposes steps to be followed in drafting and finalizing the National GEF Strategy by an
inter-ministerial working group. The project includes a review of the GEF portfolio by operational programs over the last 10 years with summaries of the
projects undertaken, the funding involved, the implementing agencies and the main lessons. The project analyses the processes and coordination arrangements
for accessing GEF funding, for oversight of GEF projects and for monitoring and reporting on implementation in the past. It defines lessons from the
experience and makes recommendations for institutional arrangements, collaboration and harmonization over the coming 5 years in the context of the GEF Resource
Allocation Framework (RAF). This work will involve an analysis of the implications of RAF for Vietnam and an assessment of Vietnam's capacities according to
the GEF criteria which determine the level of support it will receive under the RAF. Finally, the project will define and assess the national priorities of key
sectors, and determine the opportunities and priorities for GEF funding in each of the GEF program areas. On the basis of the background studies an outline of
the format and content of the GEF strategy and the process for its drafting will be proposed.
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Vietnam Country Environmental Analysis:
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Country: Vietnam
Period: 2005 - 2006
Client:
Ministry of Industry
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Donor: The World Bank
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The CEA in Vietnam focuses on the manufacturing sector. It is the most comprehensive assessment of industrial pollution in the country so far undertaken.
The CEA involves an analysis of Vietnam's economy and major policy influences and trends, a description of the industry sector, its structure, projections
and economic challenges, and an analysis of the industry sector's past and current environmental performance including a sub-sector and geographic breakdown.
Pollution loads are being estimated based on projected changes and growth in the industry sector with an environmental assessment of its impact at national,
economic triangle and provincial level. The policy and institutional analysis linked to this study includes a description of government's response to industrial
pollution in terms of policies, institutions, tools and resources, an analysis of what is missing and what approaches are available to fill the gaps.
Recommendations are being made to enhance the industry sector's environmental performance. The ICEM CEA team is adopting a SEA methodology for the study.
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Protected Areas Policy Reform Project:
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Country: Vietnam
Period: 2005
Technical Partners:
IUCN – World Conservation Union, Minitry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), United Nations Development Programme
Donors: Global Environment Facility (GEF)
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ICEM is providing the principle technical input to the IUCN and MARD initiated Protected Areas Policy Reform Project in Vietnam. The goals of the study
are to examine experience gained from internationally funded projects focussing on protected areas in Viet Nam and to place these recommendations within
policy documents accessible to decision makers at all levels of Government. The study will assess how protected area management has been implemented over
the last decade, the success of the various management models applied, and the level to which successful on-the-ground management has been taken up within
policy and legislative development. It will set out policy proposals on PA planning, management, finance and community involvement as a contribution to existing
government legislative initiatives.
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Financial Sustainability for National Systems of Protected Areas:
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Country: Global and Thailand
Period: 2005
Technical Partners:
Globally: Environment and Development Group (EDG)
Thailand: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, United Nations Development Programme, Worldwide Fund fo Nature WWF
Donors: UNDP / Global Environment Facility (GEF)
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ICEM is taking the lead in the Thailand component of a UNDP/GEF initiative to develop a full scale, multi-country, project on protected area financing.
This phase involves the ICEM team in design, facilitation, consultation and capacity building. The project will take an integrated approach, linking
"bottom up" site-based interventions - such as improved PA financial planning which entails: aligning conservation goals and spending priorities,
defining cost-effective management approaches, identifying the overall costs associated with revised management plans, and generating new funding - with
"top down" national policy level work. Development of site-based financing strategies will be complimented by the identification, and where appropriate
and possible, modification of legal and regulatory constraints at the national level. To accomplish this, the project will work with a broad array of
government agencies and private sector partners whose decisions influence the finances of protected areas. This integrated approach is the hallmark of
the project whose goal will be to: "Ensure that the foundations, structures and processes are in place to achieve the financial sustainability of national
systems of protected areas in up to six countries; and increase the likelihood to achieve financial sustainability in additional protected area systems".
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Strengthening Environmental Management and Land Administration Program:
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Country: Vietnam
Period: 2005 - 2010
Technical Partners:
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ramboll Natura, Western Australian Department of Land Administration
Donors: Swedish International Development Assistance (SIDA)
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ICEM is one of three international organizations in a consortium providing the technical backing for implementation of a five year project to strengthen
environmental management and land administration in Vietnam. The SEMLA programme works at national and, in particular, provincial and lower administrative
levels to provide services in terms of reduced pollution and effective and equitable land administration. The programme aims to improve capacity at national,
provincial and local levels to address pollution prevention, control and rehabilitation and to provide efficient and equitable services in land registration,
land information, land use planning and land evaluation. The objective of the national component is “improved capacity to provide and enabling policy and
legislative context and implementation arrangements for environment and land management at national and local level”. The objective of the provincial component is
“improved capacity for implementation of natural resource planning and management in selected provinces”.
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Poverty and Environment Initiatives:
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Country: Cambodia and Vietnam
Period:2003 - 2004
Technical Partners:
Ministry of Environment, Cambodia; Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam; United Nations Development Programme
Donors: UNDP, UK Department for International Development (DFID)
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ICEM provided principle technical input to the design of UNDP poverty and environment projects in Cambodia and Vietnam. The poverty and environment
initiatives aim to enhance the contribution of environmental protection and sustainable natural resource use to poverty reduction and sustainable
growth in the two countries. They focus on the isolated rural poor and the dynamic links between their livelihoods and the quality and maintenance of
natural systems in high priority biodiversity areas. The two poverty and environment projects include strengthening (1) policy and planning mechanisms
and tools to address poverty-environment challenges; and (2) monitoring and analysis of poverty-environment indicators and policy outcomes. The projects
will enhance capacity within the environment sector at national and local levels. In Cambodia, through the small grants activities, the project will
demonstrate community-level strategies and methods, and strengthen the capacity and capability of local communities, CBOs & NGOs.
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Greater Annamite Mountains Conservation Strategy:
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Country:Lao PDR and Vietnam
Period: 2003 - 2004
Technical Partners:
Worldwide Fund for Nature;
Lao PDR: Ministry of Forestry; STEA
Vietnam: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Donors: WWF, Royal Netherlands Government
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ICEM provided the lead technical input in the WWF initiative in Lao PDR and Vietnam to support the two governments prepare a conservation strategy and
action plan for the shared Greater Annamite Mountain chain. The mountains are critical to the development and cultures of the two countries and are one
of the world’s most important regions for biodiversity conservation. Lao PDR and Vietnam were supported in an intensely consultative process in preparing
biodiversity conservation plans for their respective components of the Annamite range. The two national plans identify threats to biodiversity and
sustainable development in the region and define priorities for action. While undertaken as separate national planning processes, the two countries
consulted regularly and their priority actions have much in common. The Lao PDR and Vietnam Annamite conservation plans are important steps in promoting
wise investment in the region. They provide common frameworks of priorities for government and international partners helping to align government and donor
programmes, and drawing on existing initiatives in the ecoregion.
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Action Plan for Improving Forest Management and Conservation in the South-east Agro-ecological Region of Vietnam:
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Country: Vietnam
Period: 2003 - 2004
Technical Partners: Worldwide Fund for Nature, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Donors: WWF, Royal Netherlands Government
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ICEM provided the lead technical input in the WWF initiative in Vietnam to support ten provinces in preparing a conservation and sustainable resource use
action plan for their shared South-east Agro-ecological region. This Action Plan is based on the Government commitment to conservation and sustainable
use of forest resources, to the overall increase in forest cover and quality, and to promoting the role of forests in local and national development by
maintaining and enhancing the ecosystem services and products they provide in their natural state. The goal is to conserve the 36% of natural forest
remaining in the region as a permanent forest estate, to enhance its quality, and to rehabilitate other important forest lands - all with the purpose of
optimising the contribution that forests make to regional development. An important theme of the Action Plan is the need to identify and value those contributions,
and to establish mechanisms so that sectors, provinces, and entities benefiting from them pay for their conservation. The Plan is prepared following consultations
with the provinces of the region under the umbrella of the Forest Sector Support Program (FSSP), established in 2001 as a partnership between MARD and 19
international organisations (bilateral and multilateral donors, international non-governmental organizations). A priority action underlying all others in this
plan is the need to establish a SEAR Regional Forest Conservation Forum involving all provinces in regular consultations and exchange, and facilitating decentralization
of the FSSP.
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Review of Protected Areas and Development in the Four Countries of the Lower Mekong River Region:
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Country: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Vietnam, and Greater Mekong Subregion
Period: 2001 - 2003
Technical Partners:
Ministry of Environment, Cambodia
Ministry of Forestry, Lao PDR
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam
World Conservation Union IUCN
Mekong River Commission
Worldwide Fund for Nature
Birdlife International
United Nations Development Programme
New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service
Tropical Forest Trust
Donors:
Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA)
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Royal Netherlands Government
Website:
www.mekong-protected-areas.org
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ICEM led a technical partnership supporting the four Governments of the Lower Mekong Region in a process of comprehensive studies, piloting and consultation.
The Review of Protected Areas and Development examined the growing tensions between economic and conservation objectives in the four countries of the Lower
Mekong River region. It identified the many development benefits flowing from protected areas and the need to reflect them in the plans and budgets of forestry,
agriculture, energy, tourism, fisheries and other key economic sectors. The lessons of more than a decade of protected area management experience in the region were
related to new and innovative approaches elsewhere in the world.
Eight volumes were published:
Cambodia National Report
Lao PDR National Report
Thailand National Report
Vietnam National Report
Regional Report
Lessons learned in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam
Lessons from global experience
Field Studies in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam
The reports can be downloaded from the ICEM website, the PAD Review website
or ordered from ICEM.
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Vietnam Environment and Investment Project:
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Country: Vietnam
Period: 1996 - 2001
Technical Partners:
United Nations Development Programme
Ministry of Planning and Investment
Donors:
Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA)
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
United Nations Development Programme
Website:
www.undp.org.vn/projects/vie97007/
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Over a period of six years, ICEM provided the principle technical advice to Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment in implementation of the
Environment and Investment Project, an initiative of UNDP and MPI. The project was concerned with reform to the development planning system in Vietnam
so that resources are used sustainably and the environment is maintained and enhanced. The project sought to reinforce changes already taking place in
the planning system where they were consistent with the principles of sustainable development, and to test new approaches where needed. The project worked
at central level and in three provinces to test and demonstrate a range of innovative planning methods. It led to the National Agenda 21 preparation and
implementation project.
An integrated package of handbooks, technical reports and training modules resulting from the project can be downloaded from the UNDP Vietnam website
at: www.undp.org.vn/projects/vie97007/Documents.htm
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Biodiversity planning in Asia:
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Country: 17 countries in Asia
Period: 2000 - 2001
Technical Partners:
IUCN - The World Conservation Union
United Nations Development Programme
Donors:
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
The Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Governments of Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Germany
Website:
www.undp.org.vn/projects/vie97007
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ICEM provided the technical support and facilitation in an IUCN initiated process of consultation and review of the experience with national biodiversity
planning in seventeen Asian countries.
Most countries in Asia have now developed – or are preparing – a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan as a critical process in reversing the
negative trends in biodiversity loss. In this project which ran over two years, more than 30 leading conservation managers and policy makers in the countries
and key international agencies working in the region were involved in a series of sub-regional meetings and drafting activities to share their views on progress
made and on the challenges which lie ahead. Country studies explore how effectively national biodiversity strategies and action planning have been in meeting
these goals. They identify the main obstacles to progress, the strengths and weaknesses of the process, its main achievements and the opportunities for improvement.
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Study on Aid to the Environment Sector in Vietnam:
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Country: Vietnam
Period: 1998 - 1999
Technical Partners:
Ministry of Planning and Investment
United Nations Development Programme
IUCN – World Conservation Union
Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM)
National Centre for Science and Technology (NCST)
Vietnam National Mekong Committee (VNMC)
Vietnam National Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (VNCESD)
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
Norwegian Centre for International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric)
Donors:
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA)
Royal Netherlands Government
Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC)
Website:
www.undp.org.vn
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ICEM provided the principle technical input in design and implementation of the multi donor and government study of aid to the environment sector in Vietnam.
The study assesses the level and effectiveness of foreign aid to the whole environmental sector, an urgent and important issue, as the Government and donors
seek ways to improve Vietnam’s capacity to balance social - economic development with environmental conservation. This study of lessons-learned provides
needed experience and recommendations for the directions and nature of future actions both by the Government and donor support. The project was the result
of active involvement of many Government ministries, agencies, NGOs related to the environmental sector. Close to 200 people contributed to the study,
mostly Government officers representing 62 departments and institutes covering 13 ministries; others come from 21 donor agencies, 17 NGOs and 16 environmental
aid projects currently operating in Vietnam. Consultative methods were used to optimise the participatory and collective wisdom of a wide spectrum of stakeholders,
through working groups, questionnaires and interviews. Eight roundtables were held in two stages with Government, donors and NGOs.
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