National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management – Argentina

46.Argentina has initiated implementation of the recommendations of the three global environment conventions. These include a) the establishment of institutional frameworks, b) developing capacity based on national resources and international cooperation, c) the design and implementation of action plans at the national level, and d) reporting progress to the Conventions. However the implementation of most of these initiatives has been deterred by critical capacity constraints, including the lack of an appropriate institutional framework with experience and the culture of cooperation between different agencies. 47.The main objective of this NCSA project is to identify and determine the nature of the critical capacity constraints for global environmental management, and to prepare a national strategy and action plan for addressing them. In addition the NCSA process will identify, through a country-driven consultative process, priorities and needs for capacity-building to protect the global environment, and develop new thematic programmes for the areas of biodiversity (inclusive of wetlands), climate change and land degradation. 48.Although constrained by the conditions of GEF in terms of its duration, this project also intends to establish the conditions for a continuous monitoring and review mechanism for capacity building in these areas, and set up the basis for more permanent cooperation between agencies. The project will focus on issues related to the three conventions, will expand and consolidate existing coordinating mechanisms of institutions, or recommend the incorporation of new ones. The exercise will be carried out with full participation and consultation, and its conclusions will be made publicly available. The NCSA project will be implemented simultaneously with other GEF initiatives related to capacity building on global environmental issues.