In decision X/26 the Conference of the Parties adopted terms of reference for a full assessment of the amount of funds that are necessary to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition, in accordance with the guidance provided by the Conference of the Parties, in fulfilling their commitments under the Convention for the sixth replenishment period of the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund. In the same decision the Conference of the Parties also requested the Executive Secretary to ensure completion of this assessment in time for consideration by the fourth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention, and subsequently by the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh meeting.

In response to this request and under the authority and with the support of the Conference of the Parties, the Executive Secretary contracted a team of five experts (two from developing country Parties, two from developed country Parties, and one from an international non-governmental organization), to prepare a report on the full assessment of funding necessary and available for the implementation of the Convention for the period July 2014 to June 2018. As an input to their work, the expert team developed a questionnaire to gather information on the financial needs for the period of GEF-6. Through notifications SCBD/ITS/RS/ESE/fb/77838 and SCBD/ITS/RS/ESE/fb/77838 Parties were invited to make use of the questionnaire as means assessing their funding needs for the implementation of the Convention over the period covered by GEF-6 and to provide this information to the Secretariat by 20 March 2012.

The first draft of the report on the full assessment of the amount of funds needed for the implementation of the Convention for GEF-6 was presented during the fourth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention as document UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/4/INF/10. In recommendation 4/3 WGRI took note of the preliminary conclusions of the expert group as summarized in the annex to UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/4/7 and requested the expert group, with the support of the Executive Secretary, to further develop the report for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh meeting, taking into account:

1. The views expressed by Parties and observers at the fourth meeting of the Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention;
2. Additional views submitted by Parties, other Governments and organizations prior to 30 June 2012;
3. Work conducted by the high-level panel on financing for biodiversity, co-sponsored by India and the United Kingdom; and
4. Other relevant technical information on the costs of implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

In the same recommendation WGRI also reminded Parties to provide the Secretariat with the data and information requested in the Executive Secretary’s notifications regarding the GEF-6 funding needs assessment. Comments on the full assessment of the amount of funds needed for the implementation of the Convention for GEF-6 and information on financial needs assessment, making use of the GEF-6 questionnaire, can be sent to GEF6.Needs@cbd.int

Relevant documents:

• The Financial Mechanism: Review of GEF-5 and needs for GEF-6 (UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/4/7)
• Full Assessment of the Amount of Funds Needed for the Implementation of the Convention for the Sixth Replenishment Period of the Trust Fund of the Global Environment Facility (UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/4/INF/10)
• Questionnaire on the GEF-6 Needs Assessment