Strengthen the focus on policy and regulatory reforms, awareness, and communication within Chemicals and Waste projects and programs. The GEF should strengthen its focus on comprehensive policy and regulatory reforms, alongside heightened public awareness and communication efforts. Effective reforms require robust regulatory frameworks, supported by widespread public education campaigns to drive behavioral change, and enhanced enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.
Management Response
The GEF Secretariat agrees with this recommendation.
Several ongoing and upcoming GEF programs and projects are already incorporating these elements into their designs, reflecting the focal area's focus on achieving "zero waste" and pollution-free solutions through the advancement of a circular economy.
To further enhance this focus, the GEF will continue to work with countries and implementing agencies to ensure the widespread adoption of these practices in GEF-9 and beyond. This will involve clear articulation of these principles in the GEF-9 programming directions.
The GEF Secretariat anticipates that these efforts will be fully integrated into project design and implementation by the end of GEF-9.
Action Plan
The GEF will continue to work with countries and implementing agencies to ensure the widespread adoption of these practices in GEF-9 and beyond. This will involve clear articulation of these principles in the GEF-9 programming directions...The GEF Secretariat anticipates that these efforts will be fully integrated into project design and implementation by the end of GEF-9.