The world is facing a triple environmental crisis of climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem loss, and pollution. Inequality between and within countries is on the rise. While many formerly developing countries now have moved to the middle-income category, many others have fallen into fragility and vulnerability. Tensions and wars proliferate: the number of armed conflicts around the world is now at their highest level in three decades. The current refugee crisis is a hot political issue all over the world.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize the equal importance…

Often neglected by donors and recipient countries alike as considered unproductive lands, drylands cover a significant portion (40 percent) of the Earth land surface and are home to over two billion people, many of whom are among the world poorest and most vulnerable populations. These regions face a myriad of environmental challenges, including water scarcity, land degradation, desertification, and climate variability, to name a few. Yet, the picture is not all negative. Research in India and China has shown that drylands can give higher returns on investment than many so-called high-…

The GEF Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) is introducing new evaluation guidelines that will redefine how program and project evaluations are conducted. Effective January 1, 2024, these comprehensive guidelines encompass GEF-funded programs, full-sized projects, and enabling activities. The primary objective of these guidelines is to empower the GEF community to conduct thorough program and project evaluations, ensuring uniformity and completeness in reporting. The IEO worked closely with the GEF Secretariat and GEF Agencies to develop these guidelines, signifying a collaborative…

In the realm of environmental evaluation, 20 years is a significant milestone. It marks not just the passage of time but a journey filled with lessons, successes, and innovations. In this post, we celebrate the remarkable story of the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), an institution that has played a pivotal role in enhancing the world's environmental accountability, learning, and action.

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