30 October 2014: The 47th meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council approved, among other decisions, a Work Program that consists of 15 project concepts, with total resources equal to US$190.74 million.

The meeting convened in Washington, DC, US, from 28-30 October 2014, and brought together representatives of governments, international organizations and civil society organizations (CSOs). The event also included the 17th meeting of the Council for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF). The meetings were preceded by consultations with CSOs on 27 October.

In addition to conducting a dialogue with the Executive Secretaries of four conventions served by the GEF and the Chair of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP), the Council considered agenda items on, inter alia: Annual Monitoring Review; Results-based Management Action Plan; GEF-6 Non-Grant Instrument Pilot and Updated Policy for Non-Grant Instruments; Improving the GEF Project Cycle; the Country Support Programme Implementation; Gender Equality Action Plan; Progress Report on the Pilot Accreditation of GEF Project Agencies and Timeline for Further Discussion of Accreditation; Progress Report of the GEF Independent Evaluation Office Director; and Stocktaking of Integrated Approach Pilots Preparation.

The LDCF/SCCF Council convened for its 17th meeting on 30 October, and adopted, inter alia, a Work Program for the SCCF that comprises six project concepts, with total resources amounting to US$31.883 million, including SCCF project financing and Agency fees. Switzerland announced that it was sending CHF 1 million for the LDCF and CHF 1.25 million for the SCCF. Norway announced a recent contribution of NOK 22 million to LDCF and NOK 15 million to SCCF. Ireland announced a commitment of 900,000 Euros to the LDCF, and Belgium announced a forthcoming contribution of 12 million Euros to the LDCF. The US announced that it had transferred US$27.2 million to LDCF in September, more than it had originally pledged.

At the conclusion of the meetings, the LDCF/SCCF and GEF Councils reviewed and approved the Joint Summary of the Chairs of the respective meetings, and GEF CEO and Chairperson, Naoko Ishii, closed the meeting. [IISD RS Coverage of GEF Council and LDCF/SCCF Council Meetings] [GEF Press Release]