缅北禁地

Multilateral Environmental Agreements

Certain multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) take into account the special needs of LDCs or give them priority in the allocation of resources.  In most cases LDCs are considered along with other categories of countries, in particular SIDS:

The GEF

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established in 1992 to help tackle global environmental problems. It administers several funds, helping developing countries and countries with economies in transition to meet the objectives of the international environmental conventions and agreements. Apart from the LDC Fund (see the page on climate change here):

• Allocation of resources of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund for biodiversity, climate change and land degradation is based on indicators of “global benefits” (related to globally relevant characteristics of the country in the three target areas), country performance and GDP.  After allocation based on these criteria, adjustments are made to ensure that countries receive a minimum allocation in each of these areas. There are  (PDF) for LDCs and SIDS in the allocation of the GEF Trust Fund (8th replenishment period -  GEF-8) ():

• Following a similar system, the of the establish that 36% of GBFF resources, plus an additional 3% initially (to be reprogrammed after 3 years if unused), should be allocated to LDCs and SIDS. Distribution of the GBFF also reflects potential global environmental benefits that can be generated in the country, as per the GEF-8 Biodiversity Focal Area country allocations.
• The GEF manages the programme for LDC and SIDS on sound management of chemicals and waste.
• Focal points from LDCs and SIDS are given priority in activities under the Country Support Program 

Other funds

Global Fund for Coral Reefs

• The is a blended finance instrument to mobilise action and resources to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems. Although it does not cater exclusively to LDCs, it pays particular attention to LDCs and SIDS.  The Fund advances the progress of projects and initiatives already underway in SIDS and LDCs, while delivering proven models to new focal areas.

What happens when countries graduate?

• No longer applying LDC-specific minimum allocation floors for the GEF Trust Fund could result in lower funds for the next periods depending on the results of the application of the primary allocation criteria (for GEF-8, SIDS that graduate from the LDC category maintain the same minimum allocation floors).
• Countries might not be able to obtain new funding under LDC-specific programmes (e.g. non-SIDS under the LDC/SIDS programme for the management of chemicals and waste).
• Organizations and funds that pay particular attention to LDCs but are not exclusively dedicated to LDCs will not typically withdraw funds or other forms of assistance abruptly. Account is taken of countries' persisting needs beyond graduation.