ENG - UN CC:Learn

EUROPE AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF
INDEPENDENT STATES
SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
A Twin-Track Path to Environmental Management 1
QUICK FACTS
Total UNDP-GEF and Co-Finance: $515,190
Total UNDP and Co-Finance: $2,628,365
Total: $3,143,555
SPOTLIGHT
When the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia became a GEF member in 2001, it
was not easy to envisage that the country would further evolve its structure and
become a union of two republics of Serbia and Montenegro, each with their own
legislative and policy frameworks on environmental issues. The two republics
were at different levels of capacity and commitment, and UNDP acted as a mediator
to assist them in identifying these issues and together producing and adopting
environmental action plans.
CROATIA
Podgorica
Adriatic
Sea
HUNGARY
BOSNIA AND
HERCEGOVINA
MONTENEGRO
Novi Sad
SERBIA AND
MONTENEGRO
ALBANIA
The initial objective for GEF inclusion remained the same for both republics, as well as at the state
union level: to develop a strategy for sustainable development in environment. Through the
National Capacity Self Assessment (NCSA) project, with funding from the GEF of US$ 197,000,
and co-financing from the Government of US$ 27,000, UNDP assisted both republics to
determine their capacities, assess priority needs and develop a plan of action in order to
implement the three Rio Conventions on Biodiversity, Climate Change and Desertification,
and meet the country’s commitments to global environmental management. UNDP and
the republics and are currently in the process of negotiating completion of commitments
to the conventions, using the twin track approach, a process whereby although only one
agreement has been signed, fulfilment of obligations by each republic will be performed
independently of one another. Thus, each can work separately in achieving goals of
improved environmental management.
Belgrade
SERBIA
Nis
Pristina
KOSOVO
MACEDONIA
ROMANIA
BULGARIA
As a result of the NCSA project, Serbia and Montenegro ensured full ownership of action plans and
environmental commitments by the local authorities. Through the novel approach, further replication
by other programmes and initiatives working on a joint-republic level has been made possible. In addition, as the NCSA document
was written in collaboration between the governments of both states, the process was a success in terms of creating an
effective framework for cooperation. 2
STRATEGIES
256