The Global Environment Facility (GEF) - Punta del Este, Uruguay on 24-28 May, 2010
The Fourth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will be held at the Convention Center of Conrad Resort & Casino, Punta del Este, Uruguay.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF), established in 1991, unites 181 member governments — in partnership with international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector — to address global environmental issues.
As an independent financial organization, the GEF provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants.
These projects benefit the global environment, linking local, national, and global environmental challenges and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
The GEF is today the largest funder of projects to improve the global environment. The GEF has allocated $8.8 billion, supplemented by more than $38.7 billion in co-financing, for more than 2,400 projects in more than 165 developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
Through its Small Grants Programme (SGP), the GEF has also made more than 10,000 small grants directly to nongovernmental and community organizations.
The GEF partnership includes 10 agencies: the UN Development Programme; the UN Environment Programme; the World Bank; the UN Food and Agriculture Organization; the UN Industrial Development Organization; the African Development Bank; the Asian Development Bank; the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the Inter-American Development Bank; and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel provides technical and scientific advice on the GEF’s policies and projects.
The Assembly
The Assembly, held once every three to four years, is an opportunity for GEF stakeholders to meet, take stock, and collectively strengthen strategies and actions for protecting the global environment and achieving sustainable development.
During the meeting this year, the Assembly will combine plenary meetings and high-level panels, exhibits, side events and GEF project site visits.
Environmentalists, parliamentarians, business leaders, scientists, civil society organizations (CSO’s) and community leaders will discuss global environmental challenges within the context of sustainable development and other international development goals.
The Government of Uruguay hosts the Fourth GEF Assembly, which will be held for the first time in Latin America.
GEF official website
