14 November 2008: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council re-elected Monique Barbut as CEO during its biannual meeting, which took place from 11-13 November 2008, in Washington DC, US. The Council also renewed efforts to scale up technology transfer to developing countries looking to mitigate and adapt to climate change challenges, by approving projects amounting to US$50 million for climate-related activities.

Council members also accepted an offer by Uruguay to host the fourth GEF Assembly during the first half of 2010, and began considering the fifth GEF replenishment (GEF-5) through a discussion between both donor and recipient countries. The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) Council met on 13 November, and Council members were informed of the status of these funds, with pledges for the SCCF amounting to US$106.57 million, and US$172.44 million for the LDCF. Council members approved an approach to monitor performance and outputs, outcomes and impacts of both funds. [GEF Press Release]