FSM to seek ways to access services of Global Mechanism

14 October 2011, Changwon, Korea - The Federated States of Micronesia participation in the 10th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is mainly focused on the agenda items of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) as put forthcat this COP10.

Two key items are of most interest is the future of the Global Mechanism, and the duplication at national, regional and sub-regional levels.

The Global Mechanism (GM) is a specialised institution, dedicated to supporting developing countries to increase investments into Sustainable Land Management in order to help reverse, control and prevent land degradation and desertification.

“FSM would like to receive more support from the Global Mechanism,” said Cindy Ehmes, the sole representative from FSM at this meeting. 

Cindy Ehmes, FSM

“Our participation in the Conference of the Parties in Changwon, Korea this week is to seek ways for FSM can begin to access the services of the Global Mechanism.”

Another key concern for FSM is the need to align all plans to avoid duplication of work. 

The UNCCD requires Parties to develop its National Action Plan as the main plan to address land degradation at the National level. 

FSM is currently developing its National Action Plan however the Convention also requires the development of Regional and Sub-regional Plans.  

“There are too many reports and we’d prefer to see resources or funds that might otherwise be utilised to develop plans at regional level or sub-regional levels, be made available to Parties to actually do work on the ground.”

FSM believes that much can be learned from the experience with the Global Environment Facility where principles of aid or development assistance are better applied with a focus on country priorities.