Window 1 : Sustainable Livelihoods and population

UNCP Outcome 3: By 2012 rural communities in selected provinces of each region will use improved sustainable livelihood practices.

3.1 Environmental management and Sustainable Livelihoods

Intermediate Outcome 1: By 2012, DEC effectively plans, manages, monitors and coordinates with other relevant government institutions the sustainable use of natural resources and selected communities use their natural resources sustainably to enhance their livelihoods.

UN comparative advantage

The UN’s comparative advantage to work in this outcome, first and foremost, is based on its broad global mandate and more than 14 years of experience in working on sustainable human development models and capacity development, in response to platforms of action of past international conferences on environment and development (Rio de Janeiro, 1992, Johannesburg, 2002), and international conventions ratified by Papua New Guinea (Biodiversity, Climate Change and Desertification). UNDP can tap into a wide network of development practitioners that have been developing capacities for environmental management.

In addition, the UN’s involvement in employment promotion and economic development has been relatively modest over the past few years. Nevertheless, in view of the crucial need to give this area greater priority, the UN will be drawing on best practices and experiences from other countries to enable the relevant national departments to fully benefit and to increase their support capacity.

UNDP, through the GEF, has built up significant experience by providing considerable support to Papua New Guinea through a number of projects, namely the GEF Small Grants Programme and various other projects. Among those are: the National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) for Global Environmental Management, Papua New Guinea’s Third National Report to UN Convention to Combat Desertification and Land Degradation and the formulation of Sustainable Land Management Medium Size Project, Climate Change Enabling Activity - Preparation of Papua New Guinea’s Second National Communication to the UN Framework for Conventions on Climate Change; and Application of GIS to Land-use Management in Papua New Guinea: Remote Sensing Land Use Initiative. With the potential for generating considerable additional funds for the 2006 - 2010 period, UNDP and GEF have substantial potential for additional capacity development for environmental management and income generating activities.

Proposed UN system results

The UN system will help to develop capacity for creating opportunities for income generation in rural areas, particularly those with depressed human development indicators and where GEF, IFAD and NZAID funding criteria can be met. As agreed with the Government and UN partners, the focus of the programmes should be on a community-based tourism, non-timber forest products, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy

UNDP through international resource mobilization will target the national level by developing the capacity of the DEC and, where necessary, other relevant government institutions, in the areas of: 1)Training national authorities on mainstreaming and monitoring of environmental issues; 2)Promotion of the establishment of an integrated environmental monitoring and compliance database in PNG; 3)Improvement of the National Environmental Communication and Reporting Strategy; and 3) Improvement of networking between DEC (and other state institutions) with provincial authorities, NGOs, FBOs and CBOs. At the provincial level, capacity will be built to increase environmental awareness and networking among communities, NGOs, FBOs and other CSOs, to strengthen their leadership capacity as advocates for sustainable livelihoods.

UNHCR will work to find durable solutions for refugees and local host communities in their self sufficiency and enjoyment of human rights.

Partnership development

The UN system, particularly UNDP, will work with the Department of Environment and Conservation and relevant sectoral ministries. It will also develop linkages and relationships with other multilateral and bilateral partners, academic and research institutions, and NGOs. UNHCR will work with local Government and development stakeholders to support sustainable livelihoods and local integration of refugees.