Subject: Re: Updated PIF References: From: "Hay, Mark" Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary "Apple-Mail-15--49993597" In-Reply-To: Message-Id: <86346F6E-574D-425B-870B-AE0744755A73@biology.gatech.edu> Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2012 08:06:55 -0400 (EDT) To: "jcavelier@thegef.org" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Zimbra 7.2.0_GA_2681 (MobileSync - Apple-iPad2C3/810.2) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Jaime, Send something that worked previously. I'll revise as needed for BMS and send with banks for filling in amounts. I want to minimize the work I'm asking them to do and do not want to go back for a second letter over fomatting issues. Cheers. Mark Mark Hay Teasley Professor of Environmental Biology School of Biology Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta GA 30332-0230 Voice 404-894-8429 Mark.hay@biology.gatech.edu sent from my iPad On Sep 14, 2012, at 7:57 AM, jcavelier@thegef.org wrote: > Dear Mark: > > If you can get the Letter of Co-financing now, that would be great. These letters are difficult to get, so the sooner we have them, the better. > > I will defer to Sameer and Santiago on the issue of template. If not available, we can certainly draft something for you based on previous projects. > > Saludos, > > Jaime > > From: "Hay, Mark" [mark.hay@biology.gatech.edu] > Sent: 09/14/2012 07:13 AM AST > To: Jaime Cavelier > Cc: William Aalbersberg ; Sameer Karki ; "Santiago Carrizosa (santiago.carrizosa@undp.org)" > Subject: Re: Updated PIF > > > Is there a general template available for an acceptable letter. When I ask for this, I only want to ask once, so if there is a desired form, please send a copy and I'll make a request to BMS. > > Cheers, > > Mark > > Mark Hay > Teasley Professor of Environmental Biology > School of Biology > Georgia Institute of Technology > Atlanta GA 30332-0230 > Voice 404-894-8429 > Mark.hay@biology.gatech.edu > > sent from my iPad > > On Sep 14, 2012, at 6:35 AM, jcavelier@thegef.org wrote: > >> Dear Bill, Sameer and Mark: >> >> Thanks for moving this forward. This is really close. >> >> For BMS. Remember that at PIF stage is only "indicative co-financing". That means the best estimate once can come up at this stage. If not sure, better to give a low figure at PIF stage and then come back with a higher figure in the Letter of Co-financing when presenting the complete project. >> >> LoE. Excellent if Bill can get the letter within a week. Hope Sameer can send the new template soon. >> >> Santiago and Sammer: once the PIF is complete, including the LoE, how long does it take UNDP to clear the PIF before submitting it to the GEF? >> >> Saludos, >> >> Jaime >> >> >> >> From: William Aalbersberg [william.aalbersberg@usp.ac.fj] >> Sent: 09/14/2012 03:33 AM GMT >> To: Sameer Karki ; Jaime Cavelier; "Santiago Carrizosa (santiago.carrizosa@undp.org)" ; "Hay, Mark (mark.hay@biology.gatech.edu)" >> Subject: RE: Updated PIF >> >> >> OK, >> >> >> >> 1 is fine. >> >> 2 Mark will handle. >> >> For 4 do you want to send a revised draft; not sure if the old one will allow me to edit it to change the amount. I will do my best to get a signature within a week. >> >> >> >> Bill >> >> >> >> From: Sameer Karki [mailto:sameer.karki@undp.org] >> Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 3:30 PM >> To: William Aalbersberg; jcavelier@thegef.org; Santiago Carrizosa (santiago.carrizosa@undp.org); Hay, Mark (mark.hay@biology.gatech.edu) >> Subject: Updated PIF >> >> >> >> Dear All, >> >> Thank you for sharing the chain of email discussions below. Based on the exchanges, I have made some changes in the PIF. >> >> >> >> 1. I have made some changes in the results framework in Component 2 and it now has some reference to possible commercial development through a private company. Please confirm that this is fine. >> >> 2. I have also added BMS in the co-funding table – Bill/ Mark please let us know how much should be included from them. Once you confirm this, I will update the entire cofinance figures that are currently highlighted in green. >> >> 3. I have updated the reference to ABS policy as suggested. >> >> 4. I understand that we will obtain a new OFP endorsement letter for revised 30,000 dollar PPG. >> >> >> >> Please let me know if I have missed anything or misunderstood anything. >> >> >> >> Regards, >> >> Sameer >> >> >> >> >> >> Sameer Karki (Mr.) >> >> Regional Technical Advisor (Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Management) >> >> UNDP – Global Environment Facility >> >> United Nations Development Programme, Asia-Pacific Regional Centre >> 4th Floor, UN Service Building >> Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok, Thailand >> Tel.: +66 (2) 304 9100 Ext. 2729 >> Fax: +66 (2) 208 2700 >> URL: http://asia-pacific.undp.org >> >> www.undp.org Follow us: >> >> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail >> >> >> >> >> >> From: William Aalbersberg [mailto:william.aalbersberg@usp.ac.fj] >> Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 6:22 AM >> To: Sameer Karki >> Subject: FW: Status of ABS-Fiji >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> From: William Aalbersberg >> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2012 12:59 PM >> To: jcavelier@thegef.org; Hay, Mark >> Subject: RE: Status of ABS-Fiji >> >> >> >> Hello, >> >> >> >> I am trying to catch up with the email trail; my assumption is these items are how part of the $90,000 might be used that is not needed for the proposal development; this is fine by me. The downside again is that activities could be completed in a short time-frame if going through govt channels. >> >> >> >> Re other email in theory a new endorsement letter for less than $90,000 should not take more than a week if Jope is in –country; just last time he was away on a couple of trips including Rio + 20. >> >> >> >> Mark and I recently met and will be talking to a couple of other commercial firms that do anti-microbial and perhaps other testing but it may take some time to develop these relationships. >> >> >> >> Other points are fine. >> >> >> >> Bill >> >> >> >> From: jcavelier@thegef.org [mailto:jcavelier@thegef.org] >> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 2:45 AM >> To: Hay, Mark; William Aalbersberg >> Subject: Re: Status of ABS-Fiji >> >> >> >> Dear Mark and Bill: >> >> Of the outputs in the latest draft of the PIF, there are three that could be funded (at least in part) using PPG funds. >> >> 1.1 Administrative systems / Procedures for ABS agreement negotiations between the government and relevant institutions strengthened= including clear roles and responsibilities and business standards for screening and approval processes. >> 1.2. Electronic database on biodiversity, natural products, ABS agreements, and projects installed in relevant national institutions , including data handling system among national and international institutions for harmonized sharing of information on samples collected and scientific results >> 1.3. Awareness programme for national stakeholders on Nagoya Protocol obligations. >> >> Since these are all outputs related to the Government's $100K, I am sure they will be happy to hear they can jump-start the project by carrying some of the activities leading to the preparation and implementation of the project. >> >> Let me know what you think. >> >> Saludos, >> >> Jaime >> >> >> Jaime Cavelier | Senior Biodiversity Specialist, Natural Resources >> T +1(202) 473-4886 F +1(202) 522-3240 | jcavelier@thegef.org >> Mail stop: P 4-400 | 1818 H Street NW - Washington DC 20433 USA >> ______________________________________________________________________ >> >> Global Environment Facility >> Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube >> >> >> Jaime Cavelier---09/11/2012 09:23:29 AM---Dear Mark: Thanks for your quick response. >> >> From: Jaime Cavelier/Person/World Bank >> To: "Hay, Mark" >> Cc: "William Aalbersberg" >> Date: 09/11/2012 09:23 AM >> Subject: Re: Status of ABS-Fiji >> >> >> >> >> >> Dear Mark: >> >> Thanks for your quick response. >> It looks like the only issue is the LoE. I will check the draft project and see if there are activities we can move up to the PPG in case you opt for using the existing LoE. >> Will revert promptly. >> >> Saludos, >> >> Jaime >> >> >> From: "Hay, Mark" [mark.hay@biology.gatech.edu] >> Sent: 09/11/2012 09:04 AM AST >> To: Jaime Cavelier >> Cc: William Aalbersberg >> Subject: Re: Status of ABS-Fiji >> >> >> jaime, >> >> on point #1 - i defer to bill. he is "on the ground" in fiji and can better assess the costs, benefits, timing delays, etc. i'll support his decision. >> >> on point #2 - if bill is OK with this, I am. it seems a reasonable and documented approach. >> >> on point #3 (Actually labeled as a second point #2) - >> >> testing - i think we can get a letter from BMS >> >> commercial development - yes BMS should be listed and the relationship made clear. they do testing in cancer, but not other areas. they have rights of first refusal on developments, but if we don't like the terms, we can shop elsewhere. their primary interest is cancer. other developments seem of less interest to them. >> >> point #4 (numbered as #3) - agreed. >> >> mark >> >> >> From: jcavelier@thegef.org >> To: "William Aalbersberg" , "Mark Hay" >> Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 8:12:29 AM >> Subject: Re: Status of ABS-Fiji >> >> Dear Bill and Mark: >> >> I hope you are doing fine. >> >> What do you think about the issues I put forward? I sincerely believe this PIF is ripe and could be submitted shortly. It is a matter to resolve these issues, particularly the LoE. >> >> Please let me know if there is anything I can do from this end to help expedite the process. >> >> Saludos, >> >> Jaime >> >> >> From: Sameer Karki [sameer.karki@undp.org] >> Sent: 09/08/2012 09:12 AM ZE7 >> To: Jaime Cavelier; William Aalbersberg ; "Hay, Mark" >> Cc: "santiago.carrizosa@undp.org" >> Subject: RE: Status of ABS-Fiji >> >> >> Dear Jaime, >> Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions on some of the outstanding issues. Bill, I look forward to hearing from you on these. >> >> Regards, >> Sameer >> >> >> >> >> Sameer Karki (Mr.) >> Regional Technical Advisor (Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Management) >> UNDP – Global Environment Facility >> United Nations Development Programme, Asia-Pacific Regional Centre >> 4th Floor, UN Service Building >> Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok, Thailand >> Tel.: +66 (2) 304 9100 Ext. 2729 >> Fax: +66 (2) 208 2700 >> URL: http://asia-pacific.undp.org >> www.undp.org Follow us: >> >> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail >> >> >> From: jcavelier@thegef.org [mailto:jcavelier@thegef.org] >> Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 10:23 PM >> To: Sameer Karki; William Aalbersberg; Hay, Mark >> Cc: santiago.carrizosa@undp.org >> Subject: Status of ABS-Fiji >> Importance: High >> >> Dear Sameer, Bill & Mark: >> >> I hope you are all doing well. >> >> I had the opportunity to talk with Santiago about the PIF of project for the NPIF dated August 28th. We had this conversation while reviewing the status of potential projects for the NPIF. >> >> The PIF is very good. Congratulations to all of you. My sense is that the PIF could be submitted very soon, assuming you can resolve a few outstanding issues. Below are the issues that we discussed with Santiago with suggested solutions. >> >> 1) Letter of Endorsement (LoE). From what I can see, the main road block is the LoE from the GEF Operational Focal Point. Although you already have a LoE dated July 20th, the amount for the PPG may be too high ($90,000). There are two options here: >> >> First: To submit the PIF + PPG with the current letter of endorsement. That means $910K for the project and $90K for the PPG. The $90K would need to be applied to the preparation of the project rather than actual implementation of activities foreseen for the project once it gets underway You may want to discuss this matter among yourselves and come back to me with the list of activities for the $90K. We can discuss this matter to try to find a comfortable zone for the GEF, UNDP, USP and the Government of Fiji. >> >> Second. To get a new LoE with new figures for PIF and PPG. How difficult and how time consuming would this be? The PIF is nearly ready and I would hate to delay its formal review because of difficulties getting the new LoE. Thoughts? >> >> >> 2) Name of Policy (PIF p.4). In the concept note that was put together back in February (copy attached), I found the following two pieces of text: " >> >> ABS AGREMENTS (p.2: There is a legally binding agreement in place among the collaborating universities (GIT, SIO, USP), the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forests, Department of Fisheries, and the industrial partner (BMS). >> LEGAL FRAMEWORK (p.3.). Fiji has a draft ABS policy that was developed in 1997 which meets CBD requirements but, with government changes, this has not been formally enacted. It has recently been agreed that this will be the basis of the formal ABS legislation. >> >> I wonder if we can resolved this matter by simply changing the language in the PIF and present the case using some of the text above. I suggest to anchor this matter with the letter send from the Government of Fiji to the GEF in support of this initiative (attached copy). All in all, the idea is to clearly state where the project stands on legal matters and the relationships between the project and the Government. Since Fiji ratified the Nagoya Protocol, you should expect the Government paying closer attention to the project specially on Component 3. >> >> 2) Bristol Myers Squibb (p.11) It is only mentioned once in Table B5. with the following role: This private sector company will also contribute to Component 1 through advanced anti-cancer testing, possible commercial development (underline is mine). >> >> Testing: If BMS is going to do testing, they could (should) be listed as co-financiers. Could you get a letter of co-financing to be included with the project to be submitted within 12 months? The contribution could appear as in-kind or cash and should reflect the estimated cost of the analysis. Considering that the engagement of the Private Sector, this is important . >> >> Commercial development: If BMS is part of the "consortium", reference to these commercial developments should be made in Component 2 of the Results Framework (not necessarily referring to including BMS). Once more, because BMS is the Private Sector partner we need to ensure clarity and visibility of its participation. It happened with Eisai and Dow in the Panama project. >> >> 3) Sources of Co-financing (Table C p.3) Make sure that you differentiate the contribution from the Fiji Government (First Line) from the contribution of the US Government (line where co-financier is Fogarty). Change that manually as I understand the template only give you the choice of "National Government". >> Well, this is all for the moment. I hope you can address these issues promptly so we can see a formal submission of the PIF to the GEF Secretariat. We should definitely have the submission by the GEF Council Meeting in November. >> Please let me know if there is anything I can do from this end to assist you in the process. >> Saludos, >> Jaime >> >> >> (See attached file: Fiji ABS PIF_28 August.doc)(See attached file: Fiji NPIF Concept Note (2-24-12).docx)(See attached file: GEF letter j cavelier.jpg) >> >> >> >> >> >> Jaime Cavelier | Senior Biodiversity Specialist, Natural Resources >> T +1(202) 473-4886 F +1(202) 522-3240 | jcavelier@thegef.org >> Mail stop: P 4-400 | 1818 H Street NW - Washington DC 20433 USA >> ______________________________________________________________________ >> >> Global Environment Facility >> Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Mark Hay >> Teasley Professor of Environmental Biology >> School of Biology >> Georgia Institute of Technology >> Atlanta, GA 30332-0230 USA >> voice 404-894-8429 >> FAX 404-385-4440 >> >> http://www.biology.gatech.edu/faculty/mark-hay/