Third meeting of the GCF Board (B.03)

Berlin, Germany
13 - 15 March 2013

  • Date 13 - 15 March 2013
  • Location Berlin, Germany
Documents
Type Title Ref # PDF
Meeting report
Report of the Third Meeting of the Board, 13-15 March 2013 GCF/B.01-13/13
Compendium of decisions
Decisions of the Board - Third Meeting of the Board, 13-15 March 2013 GCF/B.01-13/12
Agenda
Provisional Agenda GCF/B.01-13/01
Action item
Revised Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board GCF/B.01-13/02/Rev.01
Action item
Administrative Policies of the Independent Secretariat GCF/B.01-13/04
Action item
Communication and External Representation of the Fund GCF/B.01-13/06
Action item
Modalities for Readiness and Preparatory Support GCF/B.01-13/08
Action item
Logo of the Fund - Revision GCF/B.01-13/09/Rev.01
Action item
Arrangements between the COP to the UNFCCC and the Fund GCF/B.01-13/10
Action item
Business Model Framework of the Fund GCF/B.01-13/11
Information
Annotations to the Provisional Agenda GCF/B.01-13/Inf.01
Information
Status of Resources GCF/B.01-13/Inf.02
Information
Report of the Fund to the COP and Guidance to the Fund GCF/B.01-13/Inf.03
Information
Staffing of the Interim Secretariat GCF/B.01-13/Inf.04
Information
Progress Report of the Executive Director Selection Committee GCF/B.01-13/05
Information
Report on Activities of the Interim Secretariat GCF/B.01-13/Inf.05
Information
Resource Mobilization for the Fund GCF/B.01-13/07
Meeting agenda
Item Title
1. Opening of the meeting, adoption of the agenda, organization of work and adoption of the report of the second meeting
2. Report on activities of the Co-Chairs
3. Report on activities of the Interim Secretariat
4. Additional rules of procedure of the Board
5. Headquarters agreement
6. Communication and representation
7. Business model framework
7.a. Structure and organization of the Fund
7.b. Private sector facility-related matters
7.c. Access modalities
7.d. Results management framework
8. Establishment of the independent Secretariat
8.a. Selection of the Executive Director
8.b. Review of staffing of the Interim Secretariat
8.c. Guidance on administrative policies of the independent Secretariat
9. Status of resources
10. Resource mobilization
11. Logo of the Fund
12. Modalities for readiness and preparatory support
13. Arrangements between the Conference of the Parties and the Fund
14. Other business
15. Report of the meeting
16. Closure of the meeting

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.01-13/02/Rev.01 Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board,

  1. Adopted the provisions on applicability and definitions set out in Annex I to this report;
  2. Adopted the Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board relating to observers set out in Annex II to this report;
  3. Adopted the Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board relating to composition, selectionand term of Board membership set out in Annex III to this report;
  4. Adopted the Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board relating to Co-Chairs set out in Annex IV to this report;
  5. Adopted the Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board relating to meetings set out in Annex V to this report;
  6. Adopted the Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board relating to meetings set out in Annex VI to this report;
  7. Adopted the Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board relating to meetings set out in Annex VII to this report;
  8. Adopted the Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board relating to decision-making and voting set out in Annex VIII to this report;
  9. Adopted the Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board relating to confidentiality and conflict of interest set out in Annex IX to this report;
  10. Adopted the Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board relating to amendments to the Additional Rules of Procedure set out in Annex X to this report;
  11. Adopted the Additional Rules of Procedure of the Board relating to the overriding authority of the Governing Instrument set out in Annex XI to this report;
  12. Requested the Co-Chairs to consider the matter of formal voting and report back to the Board at its June 2013 meeting;
  13. Requested the Interim Secretariat, under the guidance of the Co-Chairs, to prepare a document on the participation of advisers for the June 2013 Board meeting;
  14. Requested the Interim Secretariat, under the guidance of the Co-Chairs, to prepare a document on information disclosure, including webcasting, for the June 2013 Board meeting;
  15. Requested the Interim Secretariat to publish the rules of procedure, as adopted, in a consolidated manner.

The Board,

Mindful of the need for a comprehensive travel policy,

  1. Decided that until the adoption of such a policy, the full cost of travel and daily subsistence allowance1 of the Board members and alternate members from eligible2 developing countries to attend Board meetings, or any ancillary meetings decided by the Board, will be provided from the administrative budget of the Fund;
  2. Further decided that the cost of travel and daily subsistence allowance of the Co-Chairs and Board members or alternate members nominated by the Board to represent the Fund will be provided from the administrative budget of the Fund, when traveling on Fund- related business, subject to authorization by the Board;
  3. Noted that other than for travel and daily subsistence allowance, Board members and alternate members will not receive any compensation from the Fund for their participation in the meetings of the Board;
  4. Decided to consider funding of travel expenses of advisers and/or active observers in the context of the Fund’s overall travel policy; and
  5. Requested the Interim Secretariat to present to it at its September 2013 meeting a working document setting out a draft travel policy for the Fund, for approval by the Board, to be applied for funding the travel of Board members, alternate members, advisers, active observers and staff of the independent Secretariat.

The Board

Approved the Guidelines relating to the observer participation, accreditation of observer organizations and participation of active observers set out in the Annex XII to this report.

The Board, having reviewed the Draft Headquarters Agreement,

  1. Took note of the Draft Headquarters Agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Green Climate Fund;
  2. Requested the Interim Secretariat, under the guidance of the Co-Chairs, to finalize the Draft Headquarters Agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Green Climate Fund in consultation with the Government of the Republic of Korea;
  3. Authorized its Co-Chairs to sign, on behalf of the Fund, the Headquarters Agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Green Climate Fund;
  4. Further authorized the Executive Director, once appointed, to sign, after consultation with the Co-Chairs, on behalf of the Fund, supplementary agreements with the relevant authorities of the Republic of Korea as identified in the Headquarters Agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Green Climate Fund;
  5. Authorized the Co-Chairs to sign, on behalf of the Fund, supplementary agreements with the relevant authorities of the Republic of Korea as identified in the Headquarters Agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Green Climate Fund.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.01-13/06 Green Climate Fund Communication and External Representation,

  1. Approved the scope of further work on communication outlined in Annex XIII to this document;
  2. Requested members and alternate members of the Board to provide inputs by 15 March 2013 for the finalization of the communication products included in Annex III of document GCF/B.01-13/06 by the Interim Secretariat under the guidance of the Co-Chairs;
  3. Requested the Interim Secretariat to prepare a concept note on the development of a communication strategy for the Fund, based on guidance provided by the Board, for consideration at the June 2013 Board; and to provide a draft communication strategy for the consideration of the Board at its September 2013 meeting;
  4. Took note of the guidance on representation at external events outlined in Annex V of document GCF/B.01-13/06;
  5. Decided that financial sponsorship of events should initially be discouraged, and appropriate and relevant requests for partnership in external events, with no associated financial commitment, should be considered by the Board on a no-objection basis;
  6. Decided that the approach to Fund’s representation at future meetings of the Technology Executive Committee and on the Advisory Board of the Climate Technology Centre and Network is interim, pending the development of a broader Fund strategy on engagement with UNFCCC and external bodies;
  7. Decided that the selection of a Board representative in response to the ad hoc requests for Board’s representation at future meetings of the Technology Executive Committee be guided by paragraph 8 of Annex IV to this report (Additional Rules of Procedure relating to the Co-Chairs);
  8. Decided that the selection of a Board representative on the Advisory Board of the Climate Technology Centre and Network be undertaken intersessionally, once further clarity on the role, expectations and time commitment is provided by UNEP.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.01-13/11 Business model framework of the Green Climate Fund:

  1. Took note of, and welcomed, the work of the business model framework team, comprised of six Board members/alternate members, formed at its second meeting under decision B.02-12/03, in the preparation of the detailed terms of reference for a consultancy on the business model framework of the Green Climate Fund, as contained in the Annex of document GCF/B.01-13/11;
  2. Noted that the following areas of convergence on the business model framework of the Fund are consistent with the Governing Instrument, namely that the Fund will be ambitious, flexible and scalable, have a country-driven and owned approach, employ direct access and other access modalities, and leverage additional public and private resources through the operational modalities of the Fund, including through the private sector facility;
  3. Further noted convergence that the Fund should also:
    1. Recognize that a country driven approach is a core principle to build the business model of the Fund;
    2. Commence as a fund that operates through accredited national, regional and international intermediaries and implementing entities;
    3. Focus initially on grants and concessional lending, and employ additional financial instruments as necessary to effectively achieve the objectives of the Fund;
    4. Enhance transparency and accountability;
  4. Decided that the areas of the business model framework set out in Annex XIV to this report should be the focus of further analysis and work to develop options for consideration by the Board at its June 2013 meeting;
  5. Decided that the areas of the business model framework set out in Annex XV to this report should be the focus of further analysis and work to develop options for consideration by the Board at its September 2013 meeting;
  6. Requested the Interim Secretariat, under the guidance of the Co-Chairs, to draw from, and build on, the work on the terms of reference for a consultancy on the business model framework of the Green Climate Fund to develop the parameters for the work set out in Annexes XIV and XV to this report;
  7. Requested the Co-Chairs to work with the Interim Secretariat to ensure that there is overall coherence within the development of the business model framework work, as well as coherence between the business model framework work and the broader work plan of the Board;
  8. Requested thereafter that the business model framework team provides guidance on the work set out in Annexes XIV and XV to this report and coherence, and report to the Board at its June and September 2013 meetings;
  9. Requested the Interim Secretariat to undertake the work set out in Annexes XIV and XV to this report with the assistance of consultants, and reflect upon the views expressed at the March 2013 Board meeting and in submissions on the business model framework by the members and alternate members of the Board and observers;
  10. Decided to authorize the Interim Secretariat, if necessary, to organize one or several meeting/s of the business model framework team to review the Board documents, under the guidance of the Co-Chairs, prior to the June and September 2013 Board meetings;
  11. Decided to authorize the Interim Secretariat to organize an informal discussion on the business model framework documents one day prior to the June and September 2013 Board meetings;
  12. Acknowledged that an amount of US$ 600,000 from the administrative budget of the Fund for the period from 1 November 2012 to 31 December 2013, as amended in this decision, may be used for the completion of the work set out in Annexes XIV and XV to this report;
  13. Requested the Interim Secretariat, under the guidance of the Co-Chairs, to ensure that expenditure under this decision is efficient and cost-effective and to seek the Co-Chairs’ approval if there is a requirement to exceed the amount of US$ 600,000, noting the Co-Chairs may approve a larger allocation of funding for this work, provided that it can be accommodated within the administrative budget of the Fund for the period from 1 November 2012 to 31 December 2013, as amended in this decision;
  14. Approved the administrative budget for the Fund for the period from 1 November 2012 to 31 December 2013, as adopted in decision B.02-12/06 for the Interim Secretariat, and specifically the amount allocated for consultancies, be increased by US$ 150,000;
  15. Invited contributions to the Green Climate Fund Trust Fund; and
  16. Authorized the Interim Trustee to make additional cash transfers of US$ 150,000 from the Green Climate Fund Trust Fund to the UNFCCC secretariat for the Interim Secretariat for this purpose, subject to available resources in the Green Climate Fund Trust Fund, as determined by the Interim Trustee.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.01-13/05 Progress Report of the Executive

Director Selection Committee,

  1. Approved the terms of reference, including the job description and qualifications, for the Executive Director set out in Annex XVI to this report;
  2. Authorized the Interim Secretariat to advertise the vacancy announcement.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.01-13/04 Administrative Policies of the Independent Secretariat,

  1. Requested the Interim Secretariat to further explore the feasibility of the options presented in document GCF/B.01-13/04, including a United Nations common system, a multilateral development bank system and a United Nations common system – multilateral development bank system hybrid option based on the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Asian Development Bank, in its further work on preparing the administrative policies of the independent Secretariat and prepare a working document for an intersessional decision by the Board on a no-objection basis;
  2. Decided that, upon an intersessional agreement of the Board, all necessary documents to this effect will be commissioned during the course of the next months and be ready for consideration by the Board at its next meetings in line with the timetable set out in Annex XVII to this report to ensure the transition from the Interim Secretariat to the independent Secretariat by December 2013;
  3. Decided that, should the Board not agree intersessionally to an option for the administrative policies of the independent Secretariat, the matter be brought forward to the Board for consideration at its June 2013 meeting.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.01-13/07 Resource mobilization for the Green Climate Fund,

Approved the scope of further work set out in Annex XVIII to this report.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.01-13/08 Modalities for Readiness and Preparatory Support,

  1. Adopted the scope of further work on the modalities for readiness and preparatory support set out in Annex XIX of document GCF/B.01-13/08;
  2. Decided to explore options for making short-term progress on readiness, including, given the availability of resources, to initiate work on operationalizing a readiness phase, including on:
    1. identifying and engaging with existing initiatives and programmes on readiness and preparatory support in order to enhance learning and ensuring coherence, including a possible workshop;
    2. identifying short-term initiatives to support readiness and preparatory support; and
    3. assessing available information on readiness and preparatory support needs and gaps;
  3. Invited countries to provide additional resources to the administrative budget of the Fund.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.01-13/10 Arrangements between the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Green Climate Fund,

  1. Recognized that the provisions contained in Article 11, paragraph 3, and decision 3/CP.17 of the of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Governing Instrument form the basis for arrangements between the Conference of the Parties and the Green Climate Fund, and that the Standing Committee on Finance and the Board develop the arrangements between the Conference of the Parties and the Green Climate Fund, consistent with decision 7/CP.18 of the Conference of the Parties at its eighteenth session;
  2. Took note of the outcome of the Standing Committee on Finance discussion on the arrangements between the Conference of the Parties and the Green Climate Fund, as communicated by the Co-Chairs of the Standing Committee on Finance;
  3. Decided that the Co-Chairs be mandated to develop, in accordance with paragraph 1 of decision 7/CP.18, the draft arrangements between the Conference of the Parties and the Green Climate Fund with the Co-Chairs of the Standing Committee on Finance;
  4. Further decided that the draft arrangements between the Conference of the Parties and the Green Climate Fund be presented for consideration at the June 2013 Board meeting to be further developed for adoption at the September 2013 meeting for presentation to the Conference of the Parties at is nineteenth session for agreement.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.01-13/09/Rev.01 Logo of the Green Climate Fund,

  1. Requested the Interim Secretariat to launch an international competition inviting art and design schools and universities worldwide, and the broader public through the Fund’s website, to submit a proposal for a logo of the Fund that depicts its ideals and character. In order to attract youth participation, an age limit of 25 years will apply;
  2. Agreed that the purpose of launching this competition will be to raise awareness:
    1. Of the Green Climate Fund;
    2. Of challenges and threats posed by climate change, in particular among the young generation;
  3. Agreed that the logo of the Fund should:
    1. Reflect the resolve of the international community to address and overcome climate change;
    2. Reflect the inclusive and distinct institutional character of the Fund which involves States, private sector and civil society, working together to address the challenge of climate change;
    3. Be in line with the objectives of the Fund to achieve a new paradigm through low- emission and climate-resilient development pathways;
  4. Requested the Interim Secretariat to develop a set of rules for the competition;
  5. Requested the Co-Chairs to address a letter, containing an entry form, rules of the competition, and information regarding the work of the Fund, to the heads of such schools and universities, requesting them to inform and invite interested individuals to design the logo of the Fund. Such letters will also be addressed to the ministers of environment and/or climate change to ensure the widest possible circulation of the invitation. The same information will be posted on the Fund’s website;
  6. Decided that:
    1. Entries for the logo of the Fund should be received by the Interim Secretariat no later than 30 June 2013;
    2. The Board, at its June 2013 meeting, will constitute a Selection Panel, supported by the Interim Secretariat, comprising:
      • Three members/alternate members from the developed countries and three members/alternate members from the developing countries;
      • A representative of civil society;
      • A representative of the private sector;
      • A well-known graphic designer, by invitation and on a pro-bono basis, with substantial experience in designing logos; and
      • The Director of the Interim Secretariat.
    3. The Interim Secretariat, in accordance with the rules of the competition, will present a shortlisted set of 100 entries to the Selection Panel for it to assess and make a recommendation to the Board at its September 2013 meeting;
  7. Decided that the set of rules will also be used by the selection panel to evaluate submissions and make a decision based on pre-selected criteria. The winner will be announced during the September 2013 Board meeting;
  8. Agreed that the cost of travel and up to two days of accommodation for the individual/group (maximum two persons) or its representative whose logo proposal is selected by the Board to attend a presentation will be borne from the administrative budget of the Fund;
  9. Agreed that the approved logo of the Fund and the name of the individual/group who designed it will be displayed at the headquarters of the Fund.

The Board

  1. Decided that its second meeting in the year 2013 will take place in Incheon City, Republic of Korea, on 25-28 June 2013; and
  2. Decided that its third meeting in the year 2013 will take place on 4-6 September 2013, with preparatory meetings on 3 September 2013, at a venue to be confirmed.