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Collaboration with Global Mechanism [(GM) UNCCD Subsidiary Body)]
NGARA is coordinating the formulation of a project funded through the Global Mechanism (GM) of the UNCCD entitled; Using Acacias in landscape management practices to mitigate land degradation reduce poverty and promote food security in four member countries namely Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali and Uganda.
NGARA is providing technical assistance and is responsible for overall administration and coordination of the Working Groups. The NGARA and UNCCD Focal points in these countries have participated in the process of producing concept notes and proposals at country level.
All the 4 countries have now produced country concept notes and have organized or are planning stakeholders’ workshops as given below.
In Mali, a national stakeholder workshop on the Potentials for the Development of the Gum Arabic Sector to Combat Land Degradation and Promote Food Security was held on 13 and 14 November 2007. Discussions focused on key issues regarding promotion of the gum arabic trade, integration of the gum arabic sector into ongoing policy processes, and mobilization of financial resources for development of the sector. More details are given on the GM website:
http://www.global-mechanism.org/products-services/regional-initiatives/gum-arabic
The National Project Coordinator (NPC) of the Acacia Operation Project (AOP) in Burkina Faso who is also the NGARA focal person has been requested to establish synergy between this project and the FAO/NGARA AOP Project. A workshop is scheduled before the end of February 2008.
The Stakeholders workshop Uganda was held on the 29th and 30th January 2008. The stakeholder workshop for Ethiopia is scheduled to be held before the end of February 2008.
The stakeholders’ workshop in Uganda was held on the 29th and 30th January
2008. The workshop reviewed key institutions in the gum Arabic and allied
commodities in the dry lands, mechanisms for resource mobilization and
potential investors. A document is now available for engaging partners
(public and private) at country and international levels to support the
sub-sector. Better opportunities exist in the country because of the
political good will at the highest level.
The stakeholders’ workshop in Ethiopia was held on March 25th and 26th 2008.
Key aspects considered included future activities, institutional framework
and coordination, and strategies for resource mobilization.
The workshop in Burkina Faso was held on July 31, 2008 and brought together
55 participants representing all stakeholders in the gum Arabic sub-sector.
The key outputs included development of a 10-year strategic plan for the
sub-sector, use of the Acacia in combating land degradation and mobilization
of resources for implementing the strategic plan.
GM and NGARA are now working on strategies for implementing the proposals at
country and regional levels.
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