The GEF Council meets twice a year to approve new projects with global environmental benefits in the GEF's focal areas (biodiversity, climate change mitigation, chemicals and waste, international waters, land degradation, sustainable forest management) and integrated approach pilots (sustainable cities, taking deforestation out of commodity chains, and sustainability and resilience for food security in Sub-Saharan Africa), and provide guidance to the GEF Secretariat and Agencies. A CSO Consultation will take place the day before the Council meeting.  

dates: 20-22 October 2015  
location: Washington D.C., US  
contact: GEF Secretariat  
phone: +1-202-473-0508  
fax: +1-202-522-3240  
e-mail: secretariat@thegef.org  
www: http://www.thegef.org/gef/council_meetings