Distr.

GENERAL

UNEP/CBD/COP/4/15

26 February 1998

ENGLISH, FRENCH AND

SPANISH ONLY

CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Fourth meeting

Bratislava, 4-15 May 1998 Item 14.2 of the provisional agenda

REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY

Note by the Executive Secretary

1.	In establishing its medium-term programme of work (decision II/18, annex), the Conference of the Parties decided that standing items would include "matters relating to the financial mechanism, including a report from the interim institutional structure entrusted with its operation".

2.	The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Conference of the Parties and the Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) (decision III/8, annex), which entered into force in May 1997, provides, in its paragraph 3.1, that the Council will prepare and submit a report for each ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

3.	Accordingly, the attached report on the activities of the Global Environment Facility has been submitted by the GEF Council. It contains specific information as provided for in the MOU and is made available in the languages of submission.