The 63rd meeting of the Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF Council) will be the first Council meeting following the approval of the eighth replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund (GEF-8) in June. At this meeting, the Council will be invited to review and approve the first Work Program in GEF-8.

The recommended Work Program requests a total of USD 59.2 million from the GEF Trust Fund and USD 5.5 million in associated Agency fees for a total Work Program of USD 64.7 million. If approved, a total of USD 35.8 million from the Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Land Degradation focal areas will be programmed in this Work Program. In addition, the Work Program includes a request of USD 8 million from the International Waters and USD 20.8 million from the Chemicals and Waste focal areas.

The Council will also consider the framework of implementation arrangements for the GEF Small Grants Programme in GEF-8, and be invited to endorse the proposed arrangements. Other items on the agenda of the Council’s 63rd meeting include:

• the GEF 2022 monitoring report;
• implementation arrangements for the Country Engagement Strategy;
• the review of the GEF Management Action Record;
• evaluation of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on GEF activities; and
• the proposed framework for GEF’s role in a financial mechanism for the internationally legally binding instrument under negotiation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The GEF Council comprises 32 members appointed by constituencies of GEF member countries. Fourteen members are from developed countries, sixteen are from developing countries, and two are from countries with economies in transition. The Council convenes twice a year to develop, adopts, and evaluates the operational policies and programs for GEF-financed activities. The GEF Council also reviews and approves a work program at each meeting.

Ahead of the 63rd GEF Council meeting, GEF consultations with civil society on global environmental conventions will take place, to highlight civil society engagement with multilateral environmental agreements and provide a platform for diverse civil society organizations to share their priorities and interests.

The 63rd Meeting of the GEF Council will convene in a virtual format from 28 November to 2 December 2022. The GEF Consultations with Civil Society on Global Environmental Conventions will take place virtually on 23 November 2022. IISD provided web coverage of the day’s discussions here.