The GEF and Mexico Develop a Comprehensive Coordination Strategy to Promote High Impact Environmental Projects in the Country

Mexico City, November 14th 2013

• The Government of Mexico and the GEF convened a National Dialogue to identify best practices and align them with national priorities for funding.
• This forum brought together representatives from all sectors of the environmental field to develop a comprehensive coordination strategy to access GEF resources in the period 2014-2018.
• This exercise reaffirms Mexico's commitment to environmental issues and consolidates its position as an actor with global responsibility.

(Left to right) Bosco Martí, Head of the International Affairs Unit at the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit; Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO; and Rodolfo Tamayo Lacy, Undersecretary for Planning and Environmental Policy of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources, at the inaugural event of the National Dialogue for the GEF-Mexico Agenda in Mexico City, November 13th, 2013.

The Government of Mexico, through the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), and the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE), together with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), convened a National Dialogue on Mexico’s agenda with the GEF, in order to publicize the programming directions of the fund and develop a strategy for the coordination between public policies and the initiatives that the GEF will fund in its sixth operational phase, from 2014 to 2018.

Mexico is a founding member of the GEF and has received over US$450 million in grant resources for the implementation of more than 54 projects related to biodiversity, combating climate change, persistent organic pollutants, land degradation and preserving international waters. Additionally, Mexico has participated in more than 31 regional projects funded by the GEF, which have led to greater interregional coordination in addressing environmental problems.

The National Dialogue is an innovative platform with the goal of exchanging experiences and identifying the priorities of different sectors through discussion panels and specialized working groups, in the light of the national strategies and sectorial programs proposed by the current administration. Among those attending the event were senior representatives of the Federal Government, the private sector, civil society, academics, international development agencies, GEF project Implementing Agencies, and specialists in national and international environmental issues.

The inaugural event was attended by the GEF CEO and Chairperson, Dr. Naoko Ishii, and the Undersecretary for Planning and Environmental Policy of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), Rodolfo Tamayo Lacy.

Mexico upholds its commitment to an innovative and strategic vision of sustainable development, which will help consolidate the country's position as an actor with global responsibility on environmental issues.

Last August, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Mexico and the GEF, through which our country will officially host the Fifth GEF Assembly, which will define the working guidelines of the institution and its member countries for the period 2014-2018. The Assembly will be held on May 25-30, 2014 in Cancun, Quintana Roo, and the participation of the 183 GEF member countries is expected. It will be an important opportunity to show the world our country’s commitment and the progress made in favor of safeguarding the environment and protecting natural resources at a local, regional and global level.