ENG - UN CC:Learn

SUDAN
SAUDI
ARABIA
AFRICA
ERITREA
SPOTLIGHT
ERITREA
Keren
Asmara
Mendefera
Red Sea
YEMEN
Post-war Project Resurrection Shows Promise 1
ETHIOPIA
Asab
DJIBOUTI
Eritrea has many development priorities. Traditional sources of economic support
are subsistence agriculture and livestock rearing in the hinterland, with artesian
fishing on parts of the coastline. However, due to land degradation and subsequent
population movements, the primary economic development opportunities
for Eritrea now lie in its coastal, marine and island (CMI) areas.These opportunities
include fisheries, trade, oil exploration and tourism, and exploitation of these sectors will have a significant impact on the local
environment and the surrounding Red Sea.
The Eritrean Coastal, Marine and Island Biodiversity (ECMIB) Project was approved in 1996 with support from the GEF, but was
quickly suspended in 1998 at the outbreak of the border war with Ethiopia. However, UNDP and the Eritrean Government successfully
resumed the 5-year project in 2004 with GEF funding of US$ 4.98 million. The ECMIB serves the dual purposes of conserving
the unique and globally significant biodiversity in Eritrea’s coastal and marine areas, while facilitating locally accepted
sustainable economic development in the areas it covers. The approach includes creating an enabling environment for communication
and cooperation between all government agencies, the private sector, and local communities; development of a
zoning and action plan for addressing development impacts on the CMI resources; preparing Environmental Impact
Assessment guidelines and a sustainable financing strategy; and the establishment of effective mechanisms for regional and
international collaboration.
The project has recently been revised to narrow its geographical focus to the major ports of Massawa and Assab and several
Marine Protected Areas are expected to be declared by 2006. While the project may have only recently recommenced, considerable
promise is evidenced by the Government’s willingness to address critical environmental issues and coastline management
so soon after the conflict.
BIODIVERSITY
QUICK FACTS
CURRENT PORTFOLIO BUDGET
Total UNDP-GEF and Co-Finance: $8,292,000
Total UNDP and Co-Finance: $50,000
Total: $8,342,000
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