Perspectives on Conflict Resolution at the GEF Sekou Toure Conflict Resolution Commissioner

Perspectives on Conflict Resolution Perspectives on Conflict Resolution at the GEFat the GEF

Sekou ToureSekou Toure

Conflict Resolution Commissioner

1.1. PerspectivesPerspectives

2.2. Highlight of a few key IssuesHighlight of a few key Issues

3.3. Conflict resolution in the context Conflict resolution in the context of CEO’s reformof CEO’s reform

4.4. Key initial dimensions au the Key initial dimensions au the work at the GEFwork at the GEF

OutlineOutline

PerspectivesPerspectives

Historically, Secretariat kept away from Historically, Secretariat kept away from engaging in systematic conflict resolutionengaging in systematic conflict resolution

Nature of the GEF and its mode of Nature of the GEF and its mode of

operations conducive to disputes, conflicts operations conducive to disputes, conflicts and complaints and complaints

Policy: Limited secretariat involvement Policy: Limited secretariat involvement (countries and the implementing agencies (countries and the implementing agencies left to sort out issues of disputes)left to sort out issues of disputes)

Limitations/DrawbacksLimitations/Drawbacks

No formal mechanism at SecretariatNo formal mechanism at Secretariat

Staff took assume little responsibility in Staff took assume little responsibility in disputes/conflictsdisputes/conflicts

Detrimental to the GEF, its integrity and Detrimental to the GEF, its integrity and image and has left some image and has left some countries/agencies the impression that the countries/agencies the impression that the GEF is unconcerned. GEF is unconcerned.

Limitations/DrawbacksLimitations/Drawbacks

Consequence: GEF often perceived as the Consequence: GEF often perceived as the culprit responsible for the slow pace of culprit responsible for the slow pace of project implementation, lengthy project project implementation, lengthy project cycles, inequity in resource distribution cycles, inequity in resource distribution and non responsiveness to country and non responsiveness to country concerns and for many other concerns and for many other shortcomings. shortcomings.

Many small countries, in particular, have Many small countries, in particular, have felt isolated without proper mechanisms to felt isolated without proper mechanisms to address their concerns.address their concerns.

Context of CEO’s policies Context of CEO’s policies and reformsand reforms

New GEF’s engagement key stakeholdersNew GEF’s engagement key stakeholders

Moving/breaking into new groundMoving/breaking into new ground

Emphasis on protecting the integrity of Emphasis on protecting the integrity of GEF operationsGEF operations

Building trust amongst and between the Building trust amongst and between the GEF agenciesGEF agencies

Ensuring a system of accountabilityEnsuring a system of accountability

Context of CEO’s policies Context of CEO’s policies and reformsand reforms

Challenges of paying closer attention to Challenges of paying closer attention to three critical issues, three critical issues, misgivings/concerns/resistance (I.e.RAF), misgivings/concerns/resistance (I.e.RAF),

Consolidation of the reforms and future Consolidation of the reforms and future replenishment of the GEF.replenishment of the GEF.

Also challenges: any reform, changes must Also challenges: any reform, changes must be well understood, steps taken to nurture be well understood, steps taken to nurture the gains and areas of concerns fully the gains and areas of concerns fully addressed. addressed.

Relevant steps taken by CEORelevant steps taken by CEO

Embrace conflict resolution as an integral Embrace conflict resolution as an integral part of the GEFpart of the GEF

Build bridges with the countries and Build bridges with the countries and agencies alikeagencies alike

work in such a manner that results in less work in such a manner that results in less work on "damage control", i.e. RAF issuework on "damage control", i.e. RAF issue

Commissioner for Conflict Resolution: Idea Commissioner for Conflict Resolution: Idea embed in the GEF’s helm new embed in the GEF’s helm new tool/dynamic/directiontool/dynamic/direction

Entry point of contact, a window inside the Entry point of contact, a window inside the secretariat for issues of conflicts and secretariat for issues of conflicts and disputedispute

Dimensions to conflict/dispute Dimensions to conflict/dispute resolutionresolution

1.1. Enhancing measures in place to protect Enhancing measures in place to protect the integrity of the organizationthe integrity of the organization

2.2. Comprehensive/simple? conflict/dispute Comprehensive/simple? conflict/dispute settling mechanism/systemsettling mechanism/system

3.3. Institutionalization of a precautionary Institutionalization of a precautionary system of addressing conflicts and system of addressing conflicts and disputes in the GEF operations more. disputes in the GEF operations more.

4.4. Addressing systematically operational Addressing systematically operational issues which are bound to generate issues which are bound to generate conflicts and disputes (RAF, conflicts and disputes (RAF, misunderstanding/clarification of GEF misunderstanding/clarification of GEF policies and operationspolicies and operations__

Dimensions to conflict/dispute resolutionDimensions to conflict/dispute resolution I - Protecting the integrity of the GEF/Raising GEF’s I - Protecting the integrity of the GEF/Raising GEF’s

standard of responsiveness and deliverystandard of responsiveness and delivery

Actions to be undertaken:Actions to be undertaken:

To initiate a system of policy reviews and To initiate a system of policy reviews and assessments of GEF operations with the assessments of GEF operations with the view to identifying measures required to view to identifying measures required to sustain confidence in the organization,sustain confidence in the organization,

Develop a public disclosure policy. Develop a public disclosure policy. The disclosure policy to then lead to the The disclosure policy to then lead to the

development of a set of guidelines and development of a set of guidelines and operational procedures and tools,operational procedures and tools,




Sensitize focal points on GEF Sensitize focal points on GEF disclosure policydisclosure policy




Sensitize staff on new policiesSensitize staff on new policies

Information/briefing/dissemination of the Information/briefing/dissemination of the role, responsibility of the Conflict role, responsibility of the Conflict resolution commissioner and the GEF’s resolution commissioner and the GEF’s effort to all stakeholderseffort to all stakeholders

Promotion of appropriate behaviors and Promotion of appropriate behaviors and attitudes advancing implementation of attitudes advancing implementation of core principles of the GEF.core principles of the GEF.



OutputsOutputs

The outputs will include:The outputs will include:

Measures required to sustain confidence Measures required to sustain confidence in the GEF,in the GEF,

Rules governing complaints,Rules governing complaints, Public disclosure policy,Public disclosure policy, Compliance regime,Compliance regime, Promotional materials, Promotional materials, reward mechanisms,reward mechanisms, Guidelines.Guidelines.

Dimensions to conflict/dispute resolutionDimensions to conflict/dispute resolution 2 - 2 - Development and operationalization of a GEF Development and operationalization of a GEF conflict resolution/dispute settlement mechanismconflict resolution/dispute settlement mechanism

ActionsActions

The set of actions to implement will be to:The set of actions to implement will be to:

Develop a protocol of compliance regime with Develop a protocol of compliance regime with the Agencies,the Agencies,

Identify and document though roughly 15-20 Identify and document though roughly 15-20 cases of conflict/disputes in GEF project cases of conflict/disputes in GEF project (consider regional balance),(consider regional balance),

Develop a complaint mechanism (i.e. panel, Develop a complaint mechanism (i.e. panel, etc…)etc…)


ActionsActions

Resolve a few known reported cases of Resolve a few known reported cases of conflicts in GEF operations,conflicts in GEF operations,

Explore/Identify potential mediation Explore/Identify potential mediation instruments,instruments,

Integrate relevant element of strategy into Integrate relevant element of strategy into project development processes,project development processes,

Develop concept of “ GEF Mediator”,Develop concept of “ GEF Mediator”,

Identification of and operationalization the Identification of and operationalization the conceptconcept


OutputsOutputs

The outputs will include the following:The outputs will include the following: Rules and procedures to handle Rules and procedures to handle

complaints and disputes,complaints and disputes, A Data base,A Data base, An Online complaint portal,An Online complaint portal, Quick wins,Quick wins, A GEF mediation concept,A GEF mediation concept, Documentation of conflict issues in GEF Documentation of conflict issues in GEF

operations.operations.

Dimensions to conflict/dispute resolutionDimensions to conflict/dispute resolution 3 –3 – Development of a Precautionary system Development of a Precautionary system

addressing conflicts and disputesaddressing conflicts and disputes

ActionsActions

They include activities to:They include activities to:

Develop a system of categorization of Develop a system of categorization of projects into high to low conflict potential,projects into high to low conflict potential,

In close collaboration with portfolio In close collaboration with portfolio managers, review project development managers, review project development procedures to take into account and procedures to take into account and integrate remediation schemes for those integrate remediation schemes for those projects that are high conflict potentials,projects that are high conflict potentials,

Dimensions to conflict/dispute resolution Dimensions to conflict/dispute resolution 3 –3 – Development of a Precautionary system Development of a Precautionary system


ActionsActions

They include activities to:They include activities to:

Train relevant staff and partners,Train relevant staff and partners,

Based on lessons from the Based on lessons from the implementation processes, play implementation processes, play substantive role in shaping dialogue on substantive role in shaping dialogue on RAF and other innovations introduced by RAF and other innovations introduced by CEO.CEO.

Dimensions to conflict/dispute resolutionDimensions to conflict/dispute resolution 3 –3 – Development of a Precautionary system Development of a Precautionary system


OutputsOutputs

Operational guidelines of project Operational guidelines of project development with conflict remediation development with conflict remediation clause/ procedures/ tools, as appropriate,clause/ procedures/ tools, as appropriate,

Data base on classification of GEF project Data base on classification of GEF project on the basis of their conflict potentials,on the basis of their conflict potentials,

Training manual for GEF and other Training manual for GEF and other partners on conflict resolution in GEF partners on conflict resolution in GEF operations,operations,

Dimensions to conflict/dispute resolutionDimensions to conflict/dispute resolution 4 -4 - Dialogue on issues of concern, future Dialogue on issues of concern, future development and innovation in the GEFdevelopment and innovation in the GEF

ActionsActions

The actions to undertake will be to:The actions to undertake will be to:

Based on country dialogue and on the basis of Based on country dialogue and on the basis of the synthesis of concerns over the RAF and other the synthesis of concerns over the RAF and other operational issues, work with the internal team to operational issues, work with the internal team to address individual cases of complaints and address individual cases of complaints and misunderstanding,misunderstanding,

Work with managers to recommend programs Work with managers to recommend programs that will expand upon the services provided by that will expand upon the services provided by the Secretariat and the GEF agencies,the Secretariat and the GEF agencies,


ActionsActions

Develop a continuous dialogue format to Develop a continuous dialogue format to enable closer consultations with countries enable closer consultations with countries and other partners,and other partners,

Take substantive role in dialogue on RAF Take substantive role in dialogue on RAF expansion.expansion.


OutputsOutputs

Synthesis of complaints/disputes over Synthesis of complaints/disputes over RAF and other GEF operations,RAF and other GEF operations,

Better understanding of RAF and other Better understanding of RAF and other innovative approaches innovative approaches

Data base on individual cases of Data base on individual cases of complaints and documentation of effort complaints and documentation of effort made by secretariat,made by secretariat,

GEF emerging programmesGEF emerging programmes

Conclusion 1Conclusion 1

Shaping handling of conflicts, disputes and Shaping handling of conflicts, disputes and complaintscomplaints

Key to improve credibility, responsiveness Key to improve credibility, responsiveness of GEFof GEF

4 broad objectives as initial focus:4 broad objectives as initial focus:

- Protection of the integrity of GEF/Raising its standard of Protection of the integrity of GEF/Raising its standard of responsiveness and deliveryresponsiveness and delivery

- Development and operationalization of a GEF Development and operationalization of a GEF conflict resolution/dispute settlement mechanismconflict resolution/dispute settlement mechanism

- Development of a Precautionary system addressing Development of a Precautionary system addressing conflicts and disputesconflicts and disputes

- Dialogue on issues of concern, future development and Dialogue on issues of concern, future development and innovation in the GEFinnovation in the GEF

Conclusion 1Conclusion 1

Dialogue and consultations (Key Dialogue and consultations (Key stakeholders such as EO, Focal Points) stakeholders such as EO, Focal Points)

Delivery specific outputs and deliverables.Delivery specific outputs and deliverables. Start and reach full scope of activities by Start and reach full scope of activities by

2009.2009. GEF WebsiteGEF Website Ideas and suggestionsIdeas and suggestions

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

Documents

Perspectives on Conflict Resolution at the GEF Sekou Toure Conflict Resolution Commissioner