19 January 2012: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) hosted its annual Familiarization Seminar, which included the participation of GEF’s Implementing Agencies and featured presentations on GEF programs, policies and procedures as well as on funding opportunities. This year’s seminar was focused on Biological Diversity, and aimed to build capacity to access GEF funds

Public officers from international environmental agencies and national governments attended the seminar in Washington, DC, US, from 17-19 January 2012. Given this year’s focus on Biological Diversity, officials from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) were invited alongside the GEF focal points.

GEF Implementing Agencies include the: UN Development Programme (UNDP); UN Environment Programme (UNEP); World Bank; Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO); UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); African Development Bank (AfDB); Asian Development Bank (ADB); European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). [GEF News]