Ethiopia requests GEF to revise System for Transparent Allocation of Resources
Addis Ababa, August 26, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia requested the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to amend its System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) through the Ethiopian delegation to the 7th GEF Assembly held from 22 to 25 August 2023 in Vancouver, Canada.
It is noted that Getahun Garedew, the Director General of the Ethiopian Environment Protection Authority intervened during the Assembly with acknowledgment of Ethiopia to the effective support of GEF for developing countries such as Ethiopia in its efforts towards coping with the ever-increasing environmental degradation challenges.
The Director General highlighted the calculation where the GEF System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR) which allocates a fund for countries that has been set primarily based on the findings of the Independent Evaluation Office of GEF’s 2017 STAR Evaluation using the data available before 2017.
Mr. Getahun is convinced that the case does not reflect the actual current situation on the ground.
He elaborated Ethiopia which has made significant strides in enhancing its capacity and efficiency to effectively utilize donor resources in order to achieve its ambitious environmental and development targets.
Accordingly, Getahun requested the GEF to reassess countries such as Ethiopia’s STAR allocation in light of the country’s improved capacity and efficiency in utilizing donor resources for its development goals.
Furthermore, the DG expressed Ethiopia’s suggestion that the STAR allocation consider the level of impact of climate change and vulnerability at most it fits with the purpose of the GEF. “From Ethiopia’s point of this is critical and needs to be considered that will fit with the priorities of developing countries in general and Ethiopia in particular for the next GEF period.”
The 7th GEF Assembly has been occurring since 22 August 2023 in Vancouver, Canada and it was concluded with a closing remark by Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau.