The GEF Secretariat will convene an Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW) for Eastern African countries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from March 2–5, 2026.

Organized in partnership with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Planning and Development, the workshop will bring together stakeholders from 14 countries to strengthen understanding of GEF strategies, programs, and policies as GEF-9 replenishment discussions advance.

Participating countries include Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The four-day workshop will combine plenary sessions, technical discussions, and a field visit to observe GEF-supported local initiatives.

Objectives

• Update participants on activities financed through the GEF Trust Fund, Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, Least Developed Countries Fund, and Small Grants Programme
• Share information on the GEF’s integrated programming approach across biodiversity, climate change, chemicals and waste, land degradation, and international waters
• Exchange lessons learned on gender equality, stakeholder engagement, private sector participation, and results monitoring
• Enable bilateral discussions among GEF Secretariat staff, agencies, and countries to review national priorities and portfolio management
• Provide capacity-building for GEF Operational and Political Focal Points on coordination, portfolio oversight, and strategic engagement