Simplified Peer Review Mechanism (SIMPEER) of National Strategies for Sustainable Development: Draft Methodological Report (Version 2)

Transcription

1 UNITED NATIONS UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME MEDITERRANEAN ACTION PLAN 15 December 2016 Original: English 18 th Meeting f the MCSD Steering Cmmittee Athens, Greece, January 2017 Agenda Item 4: Prgress and next steps fr MSSD implementatin Simplified Peer Review Mechanism (SIMPEER) f Natinal Strategies fr Sustainable Develpment: Draft Methdlgical Reprt (Versin 2) Fr envirnmental and cst-saving reasns, this dcument is printed in a limited number. Delegates are kindly requested t bring their cpies t meetings and nt t request additinal cpies. UNEP/MAP Athens, 201

2 Page 1 Simplified Peer Review Mechanism (SIMPEER) f Natinal Strategies fr Sustainable Develpment Draft Methdlgical Reprt (Versin 2)

3 Page 2 Table f cntents Table f cntents... 2 List f acrnyms... 3 I. Intrductin... 4 II. Review f existing and relevant peer review mechanisms Definitin f a peer review mechanism Overview f existing peer review mechanisms Apprach fr the SIMPEER... 7 III. Design f the SIMPEER System f reference and analytical framewrk Prcess and phases f the SIMPEER Indicative timeline fr a full scale SIMPEER Organizatinal chart Descriptin f expected utcmes and results Knwledge management and capacity building IV. Implementatin f the SIMPEER prcess at the natinal level V. Cnclusin References Annex 1: Overview f existing peer review mechanisms relevant fr the SIMPEER OECD Develpment Assistance Cmmittee peer review BRICS+G - Dialgue abut sustainability and grwth in six cuntries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, Suth Africa (the BRICS) and Germany African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Peer review f the United Natins Cnference n Trade and Develpment (UNCTAD) Envirnmental Perfrmance Review (EPR) / United Natins Ecnmic Cmmissin fr Eurpe (UNECE) Natinal review at High Level Plitical Frum (HLPF) Annex 2: Identificatin f cmmn elements t characterise a sund and effective NSSD accrding t a brief literature review Annex 3: Analytical framewrk and template Annex 4: Methdlgical radmap fllwing COP19 Decisin IG.22/17 Annex I. Backgrund II. Methdlgy in phases Phase 1: In-Desk Review (Q3, 2016) Phase 2: Design and test f the SIMPEER (Q3 & Q Q1 2017) Phase 3: Cnsultatin and apprval stage, reprting, disseminatin (Q4 2016, Q1, Q2, Q3 2017)... 35

4 Page 3 List f acrnyms APRM Barcelna Cnventin BRICS+G COP EPE/UNECE DAC/OECD EPR HLPF KMS MAP MCSD African Peer Review Mechanism Cnventin fr the Prtectin f the Marine Envirnment and the Castal Regin f the Mediterranean Dialgue abut sustainability and grwth in six cuntries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, Suth-Africa (the BRICS) and Germany Cnference f Parties Ordinary meeting f the Parties f the Cnventin f Envirnmental Prgramme fr Eurpe f UNECE Develpment Assistance Cmmittee f OECD Envirnmental Perfrmance Review High Level Plitical Frum Knwledge Management System Mediterranean Actin Plan Mediterranean Cmmissin n Sustainable Develpment MSSD Mediterranean Strategy fr Sustainable Develpment NSSD OECD PB/RAC PRM SDGs SIMPEER UNCTAD UNECE UNEP Natinal Strategies fr Sustainable Develpment The Organisatin fr Eurpean Ecnmic C-peratin Plan Bleu Reginal Activity Centre (UNEP/MAP) Peer Review Mechanism Sustainable Develpment Gals Simplified Peer Review Mechanism United Natins Cnference n Trade and Develpment United Natins Ecnmic Cmmissin fr Eurpe United Natins Envirnment Prgramme

5 Page 4 I. Intrductin Mediterranean cuntries have cmmitted t achieve sustainable develpment at natinal level and are members f mst internatinal instruments and agreements cncluded at glbal, reginal and subreginal levels. T implement these instruments and agreements, the Mediterranean cuntries have been taking a number f plitical, institutinal, technical and peratinal measures at natinal level, t translate their cmmitments int actin and ensure the sustainability f their ecnmic and scial develpment. The appraches fr sustainable develpment plicies and actins are diverse and cnsist f cyclical and interactive appraches fr planning, participatin and actin t fster prgress twards sustainability. The elabratin and implementatin f natinal strategies fr sustainable develpment (NSSD) cnstitute an essential framewrk t ensure an effective mainstreaming f envirnmental challenges in ecnmic and scial develpment strategies and prgrams. The Mediterranean cuntries present a brad variety in scpe, cntent, apprach and level f implementatin f their NSSD, yet they share cmmn challenges in a gegraphical area marked by the Mediterranean Sea, ne f the mst vulnerable areas t envirnmental pressures. The vulnerability is exacerbated by climate change impacts that are already felt and can be expected t wrsen in the cming years. They als share the similar bjectives f sustainable develpment and well-being. The Mediterranean Strategy fr Sustainable Develpment (MSSD ) was adpted by the Cntracting Parties 1 t the Cnventin fr the Prtectin f the Marine Envirnment and the Castal Regin f the Mediterranean (Barcelna Cnventin) at their 19 th Ordinary meeting (COP19) held in Athens, Greece, 9-12 February The whle MSSD apprach was based n the review and assessment f the initial MSSD (adpted in 2005), as well as n the recmmendatins and decisins taken at the glbal level in the cntext f the 2030 Agenda fr Sustainable Develpment (2030 Agenda) and its Sustainable Develpment Gals (SDGs). Therefre, MSSD is an integrative plicy framewrk and a strategic guiding dcument fr all stakehlders and partners t translate the 2030 Agenda fr Sustainable Develpment at the reginal, sub-reginal and natinal levels 2. The MSSD prvides a strategic plicy framewrk, ( ) fr securing a sustainable future fr the Mediterranean regin cnsistent with Sustainable Develpment Gals. It aims t adapt internatinal cmmitments t reginal cnditins, guide natinal strategies fr sustainable develpment, and stimulate reginal cperatin between stakehlders in the implementatin f sustainable develpment. The Strategy is als expected t bst synergies between the wrk f key natinal and reginal stakehlders, by prviding a cmmnly-agreed framewrk, thereby leading t increased efficiency in the implementatin f sustainable develpment in the Mediterranean 3. The prgress made and the cnstraints faced by the cuntries argue fr greater sharing f lessns learned and gd practices as a means f mutual learning and exchange f expertise between them, since they share similar challenges and develpment gals. A Simplified Peer Review Mechanism is identified as a tl f mutual imprvement and learning thrugh which Mediterranean cuntries exchange n their respective experiences and share gd plicies and practices n implementing sustainable develpment at a natinal level: a prcess fr learning frm ther experiences and adaptatin f natinal appraches. Thus, a Simplified Peer Review Mechanism was suggested ( ) as a way t upgrade the very useful rle f MSSD as a reginal platfrm fr experience exchanges 4. Indeed, the Cntracting Parties f the Barcelna Cnventin requested, in their 18 th Ordinary Meeting (COP18) in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1 Namely the 21 Mediterranean cuntries and the Eurpean Unin. 2 Mediterranean Strategy fr Sustainable Develpment (MSSD ) 3 MSSD COP19 Decisin IG.22/17 Refrm f the Mediterranean Cmmissin n Sustainable Develpment (MCSD) and Updated MCSD Cnstitutive Dcuments, Annex 2: Peer Review.

6 Page 5 December 2013, the Secretariat t prepare a prpsal fr the cnsideratin f the MCSD n hw a simplified peer review prcess culd be put in place 5. This dcument aims at prpsing a methdlgy t implement the Simplified Peer Review Mechanism (SIMPEER) prcess in view t test it at natinal level. The prpsed methdlgy is based n ne hand n the analysis and cmparisn f existing peer review prcesses that are relevant fr the Mediterranean cntext, and n anther hand n the specific attributes defined by the COP19 Decisins. The fllwing recmmendatins and principles have thus guided the elabratin f the methdlgy: The SIMPEER is a framewrk fr mutual learning and imprvement frm different experiences and natinal appraches. Based n a vluntary basis principle, it aims at engaging a dialgue between tw r mre Mediterranean cuntries fr a mutual imprvement and learning prcess n develpment and implementatin f the Natinal Strategies fr Sustainable Develpment (NSSD). It seeks t establish, within an agreed methdlgy, the exchange f experiences, plicies and gd practices n implementing sustainable develpment at natinal level, as ppsed t creating a scrutiny framewrk between reviewers and cuntries under examinatin. The SIMPEER mechanism als aims at identifying hw natinal prcesses cntribute t implement and mnitr the MSSD The SIMPEER represents an imprtant tl t enable NSSD review in line with the reginal Strategy and the glbal SDGs specificatins reflected in the MSSD It culd als help cuntries fr develping their wn natinal strategic framewrk n sustainable develpment in line with the MSSD , which is linked with the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. Existing and relevant Peer Review Mechanisms (PRMs) are an inspiring surce fr the SIMPEER. II. Review f existing and relevant peer review mechanisms Peer review, in this cntext, can be described as a systematic examinatin and assessment f the perfrmance f a state by ther states, with the ultimate gal f helping the reviewed state imprve its plicy making, adpt best practices, and cmply with established standards and principles 6. This chapter examines sme existing mechanisms t identify the structural elements and main features f a peer review mechanism (see Annexes 1 & 2) in rder t prpse the SIMPEER s structure in the fllwing chapter Definitin f a peer review mechanism Althugh there is nt a frmally adpted and rigrus definitin, the term peer review has taken a very specific meaning thrugh the practice in the framewrk f internatinal agreements. OECD defines the peer review as basically an examinatin f ne state s perfrmance r practices in a particular area by ther states. The pint f the exercise is t help the state under review imprve its 5 COP18 Decisin IG.21/12 supprting the refrming f the Mediterranean Cmmissin n Sustainable Develpment (MCSD), prpsed by the MCSD Steering Cmmittee. 6 Peer review an OECD tl fr c-peratin and change, ISBN ,

7 Page 6 plicymaking, adpt best practices and cmply with established standards and principles 7. The peer review is therefre a cmbinatin f the activity f several actrs: i.e. the bdy within which the review is undertaken; the reviewed cuntry; the examiner cuntries; and the Organizatin Secretariat. The effectiveness f the prcess is ensured by a cmbinatin f factrs amng which the value sharing, adequate level f cmmitment, mutual trust and credibility (OECD, 2003, Op. Cit.). Peer pressure, i.e. the pressure exerted upn the beneficiary cuntry by ther cuntries, is als a key factr. In the case f SIMPEER, althugh the participating cuntries are nt either reviewers r under review, but have bth rles at the same time, as in the BRICS+G prcess presented hereafter, peers exert pressure thrugh the recmmendatins they prvide and the cmments they express. Cuntries ready t underg such an in-depth assessment as the peer review may benefit frm taking an increasingly psitive attitude in terms f public pinin and civil sciety, which may als act as an impetus fr cuntries t vlunteer. The mere fact that the peer review is undergne n a vluntary basis als cntributes t be mre effective, as there is a willingness t bring abut changes and make imprvements Overview f existing peer review mechanisms Identified existing peer review mechanisms that are relevant and culd be taken as surce f inspiratin fr the SIMPEER are: DAC/OECD, BRICS+G, APRM, EPE/UNECE; the UNCTAD s peer review is nt related t envirnmental and sustainable develpment issues, hwever it is cnsidered t gain lessn frm a prcess linked t a sensitive and well integrated sectr f develpment. The natinal reviews at the High Level Plitical Frum 9 (HLPF), t assess the implementatin f 2030 Agenda, are nt a peer review under the strict sense, t the extent that the natinal reprt is prepared by the cuntry itself withut the interventin f the Secretariat and peer cuntries. Hwever, it remains a learning prcess as the reprt is reviewed by ther members, wh then issue recmmendatins and guidance t help the cuntry raising its challenges and prmting its successes, at annual meetings f the HLPF. These peer reviews (see Annex 1) share the same structural elements, as fllws: a system f reference (in this case the MSSD ); an agreed n set f principles; standards and criteria against which the perfrmance f the reviewed cuntry is assessed (analytical framewrk); designated stakehlders t carry ut the review (rganizatinal chart); and, a set f prcedures leading t the final result (prcess phases). Table 1 in Annex 1 summarizes thse elements fr each cnsidered peer review mechanisms. The prcess is straightfrward and kept as simple as pssible, with a preparatry phase, a cnsultatin phase and an assessment phase fllwed by the disseminatin f results and utcmes. These phases invlve different actrs accrding t predefined and well-knwn rules. The BRICS+G platfrm has a different apprach t all ther peer review mechanisms: there is n ne cuntry under review and ther reviewer cuntries but all invlved cuntries are bth, being at the same recipients f learning and prviders f guidance. It is als different frm the ther mechanisms as it is nt an institutinalized prcess with a permanent secretariat and structure (questinnaire, 7 Peer review an OECD tl fr c-peratin and change, ISBN , UNCTAD 9

8 Page 7 preparatry reprt, cuntry missin ). Its preparatry phase includes identificatin and definitin f cmmn and apprved questins t guide natinal cnferences. This step helps t invlve all natinal stakehlders and cnstitutes a brad natinal cnsultatin preparatry t peer review at internatinal level Apprach fr the SIMPEER The apprach adpted fr the design f the SIMPEER is based n the cmmn pattern f existing peer review mechanisms, cnsisting n three main phases: preparatry, cnsultatin and assessment phases. These three phases are the backbne f the peer review, they are ften supplemented by a cmmunicatin phase f the peer reviews results and by a prcess f mnitring f the implementatin f recmmendatins f the assessment phase. The apprach adpted fr the SIMPEER als fcuses n disseminatin and knwledge management f lessns learned s that the learning prcess is as efficient as pssible. T build the three essential phases f the SIMPEER, we rely n the state f the art regarding peer review mechanisms, as briefly presented in the previus paragraphs, and n the guidelines set by the Cntracting Parties thrugh the COP19 Decisin IG.22/17 and its Annex 2, in particular. Thus, the SIMPEER represents a way t: Build a framewrk fr mutual learning and imprvement frm ther experiences, seeking t identify examples f gd practices and plicies that culd be f interest fr ther cuntries; Upgrade the rle f the MCSD as a reginal platfrm fr exchanges f experiences and gd practices; Engage the dialgue between tw r mre Cntracting Parties fr a mutual imprvement and learning prcess n NSSDs. The principles underlying the SIMPEER are prpsed with particular reference t the Cntracting Parties expectatins and needs as reprted in the COP19 Decisin and its Annex 2 cited abve. The SIMPEER is therefre based n the fllwing principles: Vluntary invlvement: The invlvement in the SIMPEER is vluntary and based n the chice f at least tw cuntries t undertake a cllabrative meaningful prcess f mutual imprvement and learning. T d this, the prcess must present clear and attractive incentives t raising awareness and mbilize cuntries. Thus, the SIMPEER, in additin t its learning and imprvement aspects thrugh the challenges identified by peers and slutin prpsals they bring, shuld be an pprtunity fr the Cntracting Party under review t value its assets, knwledge and expertise particularly thrugh the identificatin f gd practices and their disseminatin. Equal participatin: Usually, existing assessment mechanisms are based n the assessment f a Cntracting Party by ther peer Cntracting Parties. Fr the SIMPEER, it is prpsed that all Cntracting Parties participating in the review are at the same time reviewers and under review. Thus, all Cntracting Parties are invlved in the same way, in the reflectin and discussin with a view t drawing cnclusins and prducing recmmendatins. In rder t d this, the prject team prepare backgrund materials based n a desktp analysis f dcuments and infrmatin prvided by the reviewed Cntracting Party, gathering als additinal infrmatin frm ther dcuments and stakehlders. These reprts, after validatin by cncerned Cntracting Party, will be circulated t all ther Cntracting Parties, reviewed and discussed during a face-t-face meeting. Learning by ding and sharing: Cntracting Parties engage in cnstructive and psitive jint effrt based n gathering and sharing infrmatin n respective practices and experiences. The elabratin f cuntries reprts shuld fllw a cmmn template, knwn by all parties s that they are all n the same level f knwledge and infrmatin and cnvinced that they are

9 Page 8 addressed in the same way and that the results are cmparable frm ne Cntracting Party t anther. Participatry and peer-based prcess: One Cntracting Party is scrutinized nt nly by peers but als, and especially, by stakehlders frm her cuntry. The participatin f relevant natinal stakehlders (e.g. gvernment departments, ecnmic actrs, civil sciety, academia, dnrs) at the level f plicy-making, experts and/r practitiners, is crucial t the success and credibility f the prcess. The cnsultatin phase during the cuntry missin cnstitutes an imprtant pprtunity t mbilize varius natinal stakehlders during meetings and/r rundtables, facet-face interviews, etc. The rle f media is als crucial t disseminate infrmatin abut the prcess and raise public awareness abut the utputs. Flexibility and adaptability based n a cmmn methdlgy: The prcess shuld be sufficiently flexible s that invlved Cntracting Parties can agree n thematic scpes, as well as prcedures leading t final results. Even if the elabratin f cuntry reprts fllws strictly a cmmn template under an analytical framewrk, a degree f flexibility allws the identificatin f questins r issues f particular interest that shuld be further elabrated during the cuntry missin and during the face-t-face meetings. Simplicity: The SIMPEER mechanism shuld be as simple as pssible, first with regard t the limited available resurces but als t avid further disruptin f the cuntries that are challenged by several ther review mechanisms, reprting prcesses t internatinal agreements and cnventins, etc. Thus, the SIMPEER builds n the achievements f ther existing mechanisms, aviding reinventing the wheel and relying n existing infrmatin and data. The simplicity f the prcess regards als the cmpsitin f the review team (maximum 3 t 4 experts), the duratin and cntent f cuntry missins, and the rganizatin f the face-t-face meetings and interviews. III. Design f the SIMPEER Based n the principles utlined abve, and experience gained frm existing methdlgies and appraches, the SIMPEER is characterized by the fllwing main elements: 3.1. System f reference and analytical framewrk The SIMPEER is intended t assist Cntracting Parties f the Barcelna Cnventin in their effrts t achieve sustainable develpment thrugh integrating envirnmental cncerns int sectrial plicies, strengthening cperatin with internatinal cmmunity, and integrating recmmendatins and decisins f internatinal agreements int natinal initiatives. The SIMPEER is therefre a tl t enable NSSD review in line with the MSSD , which was frmulated in line with the utcmes f the UN Cnference n Sustainable Develpment (Ri+20) and the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. It aims therefre t prvide a platfrm f dialgue between tw r mre Cntracting Parties f the Barcelna Cnventin n natinal develpment structures and prcesses t engage in a mutual imprvement and learning prcess. While assisting Cntracting Parties in their effrts t implement (r define r review) their NSSD and t achieve assigned bjectives, the mechanism cntributes als t the implementatin and mnitring f the MSSD and its declinatin at the natinal level. At the natinal level, the SIMPEER builds n all the reviews perfrmed by the cuntry in different framewrks, and, in particular, n vluntary review f the implementatin f the SDGs submitted t the HLPF.

10 Page 9 Figure 1: Linking natinal t reginal and glbal levels The SIMPEER s scpe is mre n the verall structures and prcesses that are in place t implement sustainable develpment at the natinal level rather than n thematic issues and sectrs. The fcus is placed n cncrete experiences in designing, managing, implementing, and mnitring f natinal plicies and activities t achieve sustainability. The MSSD Objectives and Strategic directins shuld be at the cre themes f exchanges and dialgue. In additin, as the MSSD is based n linking the Mediterranean Strategy t the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs, the strategic gals, measures and actins planned at natinal level are seen under the light f natinal respnses t these glbal prcesses. Thus, the SIMPEER analytical framewrk has t be built n the cmmn elements characterising a sund and effective NSSD. Accrding t past experiences and current practices reprted by several studies (see Annex 2), the main elements f NSSDs analysis shuld refer t: leadership, cuntry wnership, and strng plitical cmmitments; cmpleteness, addressing the linkages amng the three sustainable develpment pillars (i.e. integrated ecnmic, scial and envirnmental bjectives acrss sectrs, territries and generatins); gvernance, inclusiveness, brad participatin, effective and institutinalized partnerships, and building trust; resurces and means f implementatin (clear bjectives and respnsibilities, develping capacities and enabling envirnment, fcus n utcmes); mnitring, evaluatin and reprting f the prcess, the utcmes, and the impacts. T cmplete the SIMPEER s analytical framewrk, the elements listed abve shuld be put in perspective with MSSD Objectives and Strategic directins. Translated int a prpsed template, the SIMPEER shall set the methdlgical guidelines, while allwing sme flexibility t adapt t the specificities f each Cntracting Party. Such a template is made up f a set f questins that wuld be cnsidered in drafting the reprt fr each Cntracting Party and in identifying specific questins t be raised with the cuntry under review

11 Page 10 during the cnsultatin phase. These questins shuld allw answering n hw strategic gals, measures and actins planned at natinal level under the framewrk f the NSSD respnd t the MSSD which is the reginal strategy integrating the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs t the reginal and natinal level, putting emphasis n the five elements listed abve. The Annex 3 prvides a first draft f such template Prcess and phases f the SIMPEER Preparatry and planning phase: Vlunteer Cntracting Parties are identified and invlved (at least tw maximum fur Cntracting Parties per cycle/biennium). Methdlgical apprach (reprt and radmap) is defined and discussed with MCSD members and vlunteer cuntries. Desktp analysis is prepared fr Cntracting Parties wh have t prvide full material t the SIMPEER s team prject. Based n the desktp analysis, questins are elabrated. Cnsultatin phase: Review phase: Cuntry missin: Natinal meetings where cnsultatins take place using the template f questins. Althugh natinal representatives are welcmed t participate in all natinal cnsultatins f ther cuntries, the prcess can run withut their presence if they have time cnstraints fr travelling r/and in case f limited budget. The methdlgy, radmap and set f questins fr discussin are knwn befrehand t all parties participating in the review, s that they can subsequently cmment n draft natinal reprts f ther cuntries invlved in the prcess. Synthesize natinal reprts cmbining findings f desktp analysis and answers t template questins. All natinal reprts are sent t the vlunteer Cntracting Parties befre the face-tface meetings (peer review meeting) take place, fr cmpletin and cmments, asking them t share their experience and lessns learned. Face-t-face meeting(s) is (are) rganized with all Cntracting Parties participating, SIMPEER s team prject, and UNEP/MAP-Barcelna Cnventin Secretariat t review cuntries reprts and finalize recmmendatins and lessns learned. The MCSD Steering Cmmittee culd als attend this(ese) meeting(s) subject t resurces availability. Ownership and participatin are ensured by making clear that this is a reciprcal prcess: all peer Cntracting Parties participating receive recmmendatins and supprt fr cmpleting r/and imprving their NSSD nly if they prvide the same fr the ther peers. Apprval-Disseminatin-Presentatin f utcmes: Disseminatin at natinal level: Ideally, it shuld be dne rapidly, befre mmentum and cmmitment are lst 10. The results f the review and lessns frm the prcess shuld be disseminated in the reviewed and peer Cntracting Parties, reprting als t the stakehlders invlved in NSSD implementatin, the general public, etc. Plan Bleu website culd act as a repsitry fr review dcuments. 10 PRIME-SD - Peer Review Imprvement thrugh Mutual Exchange n Sustainable Develpment: A guidebk fr peer reviews f natinal sustainable develpment strategies

12 Page 11 Reprts and utputs f the SIMPEER prcess are first presented t and discussed by MCSD and its Steering Cmmittee, and then t Natinal Fcal Pints at their Ordinary Meeting (side-event r included in the regular Agenda f the COP) and feed the SIMPEER s knwledge management system fr an exchange f lessns amng the Mediterranean cuntries Indicative timeline fr a full scale SIMPEER The SIMPEER is a biennial exercise, which is scheduled t take place during the inter-sessins f COPs. Its actual duratin is 18 mnths t allw time fr the implementatin f administrative prcedures required, befre t start the prcess (preparatin f terms f reference, call fr experts applicatins, selectin f experts f the prject team, etc.) and, after, t prepare dcuments fr the COP (revisin, translatin, disseminatin t members, prject decisin, etc.) in the agreed timeframe. Table 1: The SIMPEER s schedule Preparatry Phase M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M 10 M 11 M 12 M 13 M 14 M 15 M 16 M 17 M 18 Identificatin f Vlunteer CPs Desktp analysis Elabratin f questins Cnsultatin Phase Natinal meeting Synthesis f natinal reprt Cnsultatin amng reviewed cuntries Review Phase Organizatin f the meeting(s) Face-t face meeting Finalizatin f review reprts Disseminatin Natinal level Reginal level 3.4. Organizatinal chart The SIMPEER is supervised by the MCSD Presidency in clse cllabratin with MCSD Steering Cmmittee, wh has an versight rle fr the whle prcess. The SIMPEER is implemented by the UNEP/MAP-Barcelna Cnventin Secretariat thrugh its Plan Bleu Reginal Activity Centre (PB/RAC), acting as technical secretariat fr this activity. The PB/RAC mbilizes a team f experts fr the implementatin f this activity, which is included in the MAP Prgramme f Wrk; the SIMPEER s prject team includes a PB/RAC prgramme fficer and tw cnsultants (Peer Review Senir Expert and Sustainable Develpment Senir Advisr). At the natinal level, the main actrs are the Gvernment representatives, usually the Ministry f the Envirnment, Natinal Fcal Pints f the Barcelna Cnventin and the MCSD, and specific cntact persn appinted t facilitate and fllw-up the prcess. The Gvernment representatives shuld ensure the invlvement f key stakehlders at natinal level, ntably fr the cnsultatin during

13 Page 12 cuntry missin. Other MAP cmpnents will be invlved where needed, in relatin with specific themes cnsidered Descriptin f expected utcmes and results The main utcmes f the SIMPEER prcess are: At the natinal level, f invlved cuntries in the prcess: Wrking and technical reprts are available fr Cntracting Parties invlved in the prcess as backgrund dcuments fr the cnsultatin phase, and then finalized after integrating missins and cnsultatins inputs and results. The secnd versin f the wrking and technical dcuments are shared, in a secnd rund, amng Cntracting Parties participating in the prcess, as backgrund dcuments f the assessment phase. Final review reprt fr each participating Cntracting Party are finalized with assessment phases results and inputs, and especially, recmmendatins and prpsed actins t address identified weaknesses and challenges. The Final Review reprt is linked with the methdlgy and cntent f the Natinal Reviews at HLPF, where they are applied and available, as t prvide mre synergy between MCSD s and HLPF, as well as implementatin f MSSD with implementatin f the 2030 Agenda. After validatin by the cnsidered Cntracting Party, the final dcument shuld be disseminated at the natinal level thrugh a natinal cnference, a press cnference r ther events. At the reginal level: The master reprt Simplified peer review mechanism f natinal strategies fr sustainable develpment including the methdlgical reprt and the radmap, as well as the results f the desktp analysis and the cnsultatin meetings in participating Cntracting Parties (cuntry and missin reprts). Synthesis and fact-sheets fr plicy-makers and ther stakehlders are elabrated t enhance the results and make them available fr all Cntracting Parties and partners. Dedicated virtual platfrm r data repsitry fr the SIMPEER is updated with final natinal reprts highlighting natinal expertise and gd practices Knwledge management and capacity building The SIMPEER is essentially a learning and capacity building prcess: by evaluating each ther n the basis f dcuments submitted and infrmatin prvided, Cntracting Parties learn frm each ther and share their knwledge. This can include enhancing skills in relatin t certain issues; gd practices exchanged between them are a pwerful tl f learning-by-ding actin. Regarding knwledge management, the lessns learned frm the SIMPEER shall refer mre t the prcess in itself. A Knwledge Management System (KMS) shuld be as simple as pssible, cmplementary t existing systems, and prviding an added value, nt a redundancy. It shuld be a shwcase fr the achievements, experience, knwledge and gd practices f reviewed Cntracting Parties, and thus cnstituting an incentive fr Cntracting Parties f jin the prcess and take chance t enhance their verall achievements. Thus, the SIMPEER s KMS culd be a dedicated and userfriendly page f the Plan Bleu website where the main utputs f the prcess shall be psted, by each cycle, fr example: Cuntry fact-sheet with the key sustainable develpment indicatrs; The expertise f Cntracting Parties (experts and institutins);

14 Page 13 Gd practices identified during the assessment and face-t-face meeting(s); All SIMPEER deliverables (methdlgical reprt, desktp analysis results, missin reprts ); Specific indicatrs that are nt available in ther KMSs. IV. Implementatin f the SIMPEER prcess at the natinal level The prcess is based n a vluntary cmmitment f the reviewed Cntracting Parties. Tw Cntracting Parties are a minimum t initiate the prcess, but three Cntracting Parties wuld be ideal. Reginal balance wuld allw fr invlvement f Cntracting Parties at different levels f develpment and different envirnmental and develpment cultures and practices, representing ne Cntracting Party frm each sub-mediterranean regin (Nrth, Suth and East) / UNEP/MAP Grups. As far as Cntracting Parties are identified and cmmitted, the SIMPEER s implementatin will fllw phases described abve accrding t the fllwing framewrk.

15 Page 14 Table 2: Overview f the SIMPEER s illustrative timeline Mnths M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M10 M11 M12 M13 M14 M15 M16 M17 M18 Phases Preparatry Phase Cnsultatin Phase Stakehlders Review Phase Disseminatin Phase UNEP/MAP Secretariat MCSD Steering Cmmittee Plan Bleu (PB/RAC) SIMPEER Prject Team RACs Vlunteer Cntracting Parties (Cuntries) Mediterranean Cuntries (MAP NFPs COPs) Mbilize Cntracting Parties and attract their invlvement Elabrate methdlgy & radmap Perfrm in desk analysis Identify specific questins Identify pprtunities t rganize face-t-face meetings back-t-back with bdies meetings, invite participants, prvide lgistic arrangements Face-t-face meetings Prepare backgrund dcuments, Pwer Pint presentatins, list f participants, etc. Prepare cuntry missins, elabrate secnd versin f natinal reprt and circulate it Prvide scientific and thematic supprt when and where needed Prvide infrmatin and dcuments Engage stakehlders in discussins Finalize questins Express willingness t be invlved int exercise Organize SIMPEER s prject team missin Review reprts and prvide recmmendatins and prpsitins Mderate discussins, nte utcmes and review reprts Attend meetings, intrduce, discuss, and review cuntry reprts Validate final versin f the reprt Include related items int Meetings f the MCSD and its Steering Cmmittee, COP s agenda Elabrate backgrund dcuments and Pwer Pint presentatins, and knwledge management prducts Organize wide stakehlder event Discuss and review assessment results, imprve the prcess, prvinding recmmendatins and expressing needs and expectatins fr future cycles

16 Page 15 V. Cnclusin The adptin f MSSD by Cntracting Parties f the Barcelna Cnventin at their 19 th Ordinary meeting (COP19) in February 2016 shws their willingness t translate the cmmitments made at internatinal level, including thse related t the implementatin f the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs int cncrete actins and prgrams integrated bth at the natinal and the reginal levels, and addressing institutinal, legal and peratinal issues. The successful MSSD implementatin depends heavily n the degree f invlvement and adherence f Cntracting Parties f its principles and rientatins. This is why the Cntracting Parties have prpsed a mechanism f peer review t cnslidate their effrts twards sustainable develpment, thrugh mutual learning, sharing successful experiences, taking lessns frm the successes and freseeing slutins fr bttlenecks and challenges. The SIMPEER is therefre a tl t enable NSSD review in line with the MSSD and its cntributin t the glbal SDGs specificatins. It aims therefre t prvide a platfrm f dialgue between tw r mre Cntracting Parties n natinal develpment structures and prcesses t engage in a mutual imprvement and learning prcess. It seeks t establish within an agreed methdlgy the exchange f experiences, plicies and gd practices n implementing sustainable develpment at natinal level, as ppsed t creating a scrutiny framewrk between reviewers and Cntracting Parties under examinatin. This peer review mechanism aims als at cntributing t the MSSD implementatin and mnitring. The SIMPEER represents an imprtant tl t enable NSSDs review in line with the reginal Strategy and as a cntributin t the glbal SDGs specificatins. In line with COP18 Decisin IG.21/12 requesting the Secretariat t prepare a prpsal fr the cnsideratin f the MCSD n hw a simplified peer review culd be put in place, UNEP/MAP- Barcelna Cnventin Secretariat supprted by its Plan Bleu Reginal Activity Centre (PB/RAC) has launched a cnsultatin prcess t test a pilt n such simplified peer review mechanism; terms f reference were develped, tw cnsultants have been identified and a methdlgical rad map was elabrated (Annex 4). This test is perfrmed n three main phases: 1) Literature review f existing peer review mechanisms and analysis f their perfrmances and cnstraints; 2) Design f a simplified peer review mechanism in line with MSSD Visin and Objectives, and test applicatin with the invlvement f tw t fur vlunteer Cntracting Parties; 3) Review f the mechanism by MAP s system bdies (MCSD Steering Cmmittee and ad-hc meetings) and Natinal Fcal Pints, then submissin t COP20. T avid reinventing the wheel, existing peer review mechanisms relevant fr the SIMPEER were analysed (Annexes 1 and 2). While based n the cmmn pattern identified, cnsisting f three phases (preparatry, cnsultatin, and assessment), the SIMPEER is characterized by its wn specificities: Simplicity being a central aspect regarding the need fr resurces mbilized; Adaptatin t the needs and expectatins f the Cntracting Parties f the Barcelna Cnventin; Reference n the MSSD and the Mediterranean cntext. In additin, n reviewer / under review relatin is established between Cntracting Parties since they are all at the same level, thrugh equal participatin, prviding and getting recmmendatins, infrmatin, advice, gd practices, and lessns learned. The SIMPEER is designed t link natinal level t reginal and glbal levels. The MSSD , which was develped taking int accunt the need t streamline the 2030 Agenda and SDGs prcess in the Mediterranean, is at the cre f the mechanism: NSSDs are analysed accrding t its system f reference and the dimensins recgnized as necessary t ensure the relevance and effectiveness f a

17 Page 16 sustainable develpment strategy (leadership, gvernance and participatin, resurces and means f implementatin, mnitring). The cmpnents f the analysis are defined in terms f Objectives, Strategic directins and Actins f the MSSD , which are themselves linked t the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. The indicatrs are als strngly linked t the indicatr set fr mnitring the implementatin f the MSSD t stay in the same lgical framewrk and t avid burden Cntracting Parties with ther lgical framewrk and set f indicatrs. In additin, the SIMPEER is nt meant t add t the burden f prcesses, cmmitments and cmpliance bligatins f cuntries. T the cntrary, it aims at becming an incentive that will allw the cllectin and synthesis f all wrk dne by a cuntry, nt nly in relatin t the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs, but als in relatin t thematic cnventins and agreements (e.g. Climate, Bidiversity, Desertificatin, Pllutin etc.). In ding s, it shall reflect hw this wrk dne by the cuntry affects the prgress it is making twards integrating thse thematic plicies in its verall develpment strategies, plicies and actin. In this way, the SIMPEER wishes t be a tl that des nt add t the wrklad f natinal administratins, but rather becmes an effective tl f integratin and awareness. As experience with applying the SIMPEER shall develp ver-time, the prcess prpsed in this dcument will be reviewed, imprved, and cntinually adapted t changing cntext at natinal and reginal level. The success and effectiveness f the SIMPEER prcess is largely dependent f the cmbinatin f a number f factrs, which include: value sharing, adequate level f cmmitment, mutual trust, penness and credibility. Thus, it is imprtant that Cntracting Parties f the Barcelna Cnventin are fully aware f the prcess and strngly cmmitted in its implementatin, and that all participants put in place enabling cnditins, in particular adequate resurces t perfrm the prcess.

18 Page 17 References APRM, 2002, African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM): Base Dcument, NEPAD/HSGIC/ /APRM/MOU/Annex II, 10 June 2002, APRM, 2003 Objectives, standards, criteria and indicatrs fr the African Peer Review Mechanism, NEPAD/HSGIC /APRM/Guideline/OSCI, 9 March 2003, Bernard Kuari and Afeikhena Jerme, 2006: African Peer Review Mechanism: Prgress s far and lessns learnt, APRM Secretariat, Midrand, 12 December 2006, APRM, Supplementary Dcument t APRM Guidelines fr Cuntry Review, The APRM Natinal Structure, BRICS+G Sustainability and Grwth, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Suth Africa and Germany in Dialgue n Sustainability Strategies, A Cnference Reprt, BRICS+G Sustainability and Grwth, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Suth Africa and Germany in Dialgue n Sustainability Strategies, Initial Questins, tins.pdf ESDN, Agenda fr sustainable develpment, netwrk.eu/quarterly%20reprts/reprt%20files/pdf/2015-octber- The_2030_Agenda_fr_Sustainable_Develpment.pdf OECD, 2001 The DAC guidelines strategies fr develpment c-peratin, key principles fr strategies fr sustainable develpment, ( OECD, 2003, Peer-Review an OECD tl fr C-peratin and change, ( en-fr#page2) OECD, 2006 Gd practices in the Natinal Sustainable develpment strategies f OECD cuntries, ( OECD, DAC peer review reference guide , ( Mark Halle and Rbert Wlfe, 2016 Fllw-up and review fr the 2030 Agenda: Bringing cherence t the wrk f the HLPF, Plicy Brief, Internatinal Institute fr Sustainable Develpment, Plan Bleu, What reginal prcess fr the mnitring f MSSD implementatin?, Wrkshp n mnitring f MSSD implementatin, March 30-31, 2016, Wrkshp reprt ( al.pdf) PRIME-SD - Peer Review Imprvement thrugh Mutual Exchange n Sustainable Develpment: A guidebk fr peer reviews f natinal sustainable develpment strategies, 2006 SDG Index & Dashbards, a glbal reprt, July 2016, SDSN Secretariat and the Bertelsmann Stiftung, ( Swansn DA and Pinter L et al. (2004), Natinal Strategies fr Sustainable Develpment: Challenges, Appraches and Innvatins in Strategic and C-rdinated Actin, Internatinal Institute fr Sustainable Develpment (IISD), ( )

19 Page 18 UNCTAC, 2015, UNCTAD peer review mechanism fr cmpetitin law: 10 years f existence, A cmparative analysis f the implementatin f the Peer Review's, Recmmendatins acrss several assessed cuntries, UNCTAD/DITC/CLP/2015/4, Geneva, ( UNECE, Infrmatin paper, 20 years f Envirnmental Perfrmance Reviews: Impacts, lessns learned and the ptential t integrate the Sustainable Develpment Gals, Submitted by UNECE and UNEP, 27 May 2016, ECE/BATUMI.CONF/2016/INF/5, ( UNEP, 2014 Guidance in preparing a natinal sustainable develpment strategy: managing sustainable develpment in the new Millennium Backgrund paper n.13 - DESA/DSP/PC2/BP13, ( United Natins, 2016 Critical milestnes twards cherent, efficient and inclusive fllw-up and review at the glbal level- Reprt f the Secretary General- A/70/684 (htpp://

20 Page 19 Annex 1: Overview f existing peer review mechanisms relevant fr the SIMPEER OECD Develpment Assistance Cmmittee peer review The DAC/OECD grups tgether the wrld s main dnrs, defining and mnitring glbal standards in key areas f develpment 11. Since and in rder t prmte its learning prcess, the DAC undertakes peridically, every five years, reviews and assessments which critically examine plicies and prgrams f each DAC members, nce every fur r five years. The peer review is prepared by a team, cnsisting f representatives f the Secretariat wrking with fficials frm tw DAC members wh are designated as examiners, it cmprises three majr phases: The preparatry phase: The first phase f the review ften cnsists f backgrund analysis and f sme frm f self-evaluatin by the cuntry under review. This phase includes wrk n dcumentatin and data as well as a questinnaire prepared by the Secretariat; The cnsultatin phase: The examiner cuntries and the Secretariat cnduct the cnsultatin by maintaining clse cntact with the cmpetent authrities f the reviewed cuntry, and in sme cases, they carry ut site visits. At the end f this phase, the Secretariat prepares a draft f the final reprt; The assessment phase: The draft reprt is discussed in the plenary meeting f the bdy respnsible fr the review. The examiners lead the discussin, but the whle bdy is 13 encuraged t participate extensively. Fllwing discussins, and in sme cases negtiatins, the final reprt is adpted, r just nted, by the whle bdy. The DAC/OECD s peer review prcess is a unique experience fr learning abut the characteristics f effective develpment c-peratin systems, in the light f internatinally agreed standards, cmmitments and principles (the Paris Declaratin and Accra Agenda fr Actin). It is a prcess that seeks a cmmn understanding f aid practice and prvides regular feedback n innvative ways in which dnrs have made prgress twards mre effective aid management. Key lessns frm peer reviews have been develped and are available in OECD s website 14. BRICS+G - Dialgue abut sustainability and grwth in six cuntries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, Suth Africa (the BRICS) and Germany This is a platfrm fr exchange amng experts (gvernment, ecnmic actrs and civil sciety) f the cuntries invlved abut their experiences with sustainability and grwth; it was initiated and rganized, in 2005, by the German Cuncil fr Sustainable Develpment (RNE) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH. The dialgue was cnducted in tw stages: in the first instance, six natinal cnferences were held, after which representatives frm these cnferences came tgether fr an internatinal dialgue 15. The cnnectin between sustainability and grwth was discussed with emphasis n: (i) examples frm thematic areas such as energy, resurce management and the scial dimensin, and (ii) cncrete experiences with designing, managing and implementing natinal strategies fr sustainability r cmparable appraches. Fur lead questins were identified t guide natinal and internatinal discussins: What is the current state f the NSSD (verview/stcktaking)? BRICS+G Sustainability and Grwth, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Suth Africa and Germany in Dialgue n Sustainability Strategies, A Cnference Reprt

21 Page 20 Hw is the NSSD linked t Sectr Plicies? (evaluating experiences frm at least tw exemplary sectrs: Energy, Natural Resurces and/r the Scial Dimensin) What were factrs fr successes and failures f the NSSD and why? What cnclusins are being drawn? What are the cnclusins regarding the relatin f the NSSD, sustainability and grwth? Participants at the internatinal cnference expressed their belief that the dialgue that had initially been started with the BRICS+G prject shuld cntinue in sme frm r ther 16. The utcmes f the several dialgue sessins rganized at natinal and internatinal levels were reprted by RNE and GTZ in a bklet. African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) The APRM was initiated in 2002 and established in 2003 by the African Unin in the framewrk f the implementatin f the New Partnership fr Africa's Develpment (NEPAD) 17. It has been put in place with the mandate t ensure that the plicies and practices f participating cuntries cnfrm t the agreed values in the fllwing fur fcus areas: demcracy and plitical gvernance, ecnmic gvernance, crprate gvernance and sci-ecnmic develpment. As part f the APRM there are peridic reviews f the participating cuntries t assess prgress being made twards achieving the mutually agreed gals. The primary purpse f the APRM is t fster the adptin f apprpriate laws, plicies, standards and practices that lead t plitical stability, high ecnmic grwth, sustainable develpment and accelerated sub-reginal and cntinental ecnmic integratin. This is dne thrugh sharing f experiences and reinfrcement f successful and best practices, including identifying deficiencies and assessing the needs fr capacity building. Structurally the peer review mechanism is cnstituted as such: The Cmmittee f Participating Heads f State and Gvernment (APR Frum) is the highest decisin making authrity in the APRM; The Panel f Eminent Persns (APR Panel) versees the review prcess t ensure integrity, cnsiders reprts and makes recmmendatins t the APR Frum; The APRM Secretariat prvides secretarial, technical, crdinating and administrative supprt fr the APRM; and, The Cuntry Review Missin Team (CRM Team) visits member states t review prgress and prduce an APRM Reprt n the cuntry; The natinal cmmissin, fcal pint and gverning cuncil ensure, at natinal level, participatry and transparency f the prcess. Cuntry review reprts as well as annual prgress reprts elabrated by reviewed cuntries are disseminated thrugh the APRM s website 18. Peer review f the United Natins Cnference n Trade and Develpment (UNCTAD) The vluntary peer review f cmpetitin and plicy (PRCs) are ne f the cre activities f the UNCTAD, it aims t prvide technical assistance in the implementatin and frmulatin f cmpetitin law and plicies. Peer reviews are cnducted by cmpetitin plicy experts frm bth develping and develped cuntries with a fcus n develping cuntries. The peer review is 16 Op. cit

22 Page 21 delivered, since 2005, n the ccasin f the annual sessin f the Intergvernmental Grup f Experts (IGE), held in Geneva. The prcess has three majr steps: Cnsultatin phase which invlves the prductin f a peer review reprt after analysis f the reviewed cuntry s cmpetitin law and plicies; Assessment phase during which the under review cuntry and a frmal panel f reviewers wrk tgether t shed light n the issues at hand. The reviewing panel has an advisry rle and assists the beneficiary cuntry t address the weaknesses pinted ut by the peer review reprt. Disseminatin events held in the under review cuntry; Pst assessment phase t highlight areas and issues fr pssible imprvement. The verall level f implementatin f the recmmendatins made in the framewrk f UNCTAD's Peer Review is rather satisfying apprximately 50% f the recmmendatins were taken n bard by the varius reviewed cuntries and their cmpetitin agencies. Envirnmental Perfrmance Review (EPR) / United Natins Ecnmic Cmmissin fr Eurpe (UNECE) The EPR is a prgram f the UNECE t assist UNECE member States that are nt part f the Organizatin f Ecnmic C-peratin and Develpment (OECD) in assessing their envirnmental perfrmance thrugh the analysis f prgress and challenges and prvisin f advice t help cuntries mve twards envirnmental sustainability. The main stages t carrying ut an EPR include preparatin, review missin, expert review, peer review, publicatin and disseminatin f the EPR reprt in the reviewed cuntry. Each stage cnsists f a number f activities t be cmpleted by varius actrs: i.e. the gvernment f the cuntry under review, the EPR Prgram Secretariat, the EPR review team, the expert grup and the Cmmittee f Envirnmental Plicy. Each review is managed n the basis f an implementatin plan prepared by the Secretariat in cperatin with the cuntry under review. 19 EPR prcess can supprt the implementatin f the 2030 Agenda by integrating a review f prgress in achieving SDGs int the methdlgy. Als, as cuntries mve frward with the implementatin f the 2030 Agenda and mnitring f the SDGs, the lessns learned frm the EPR methdlgy can be very useful in designing peer-learning prcesses fr reviewing the achievement f the SDGs. Thrugh the peer review mechanism, the reviewed and reviewing cuntries learn frm each ther and share experiences and best practices. The reviews als cntribute t the implementatin f many internatinal envirnmental agreements. Natinal review at High Level Plitical Frum (HLPF) 20 Meeting at a special summit at the United Natins in September 2015, wrld leaders cmmitted themselves t an ambitius glbal agenda, Transfrming ur wrld: the 2030 Agenda fr Sustainable Develpment, with the verarching gal f eradicating pverty and achieving sustainable develpment. All States and all stakehlders recgnized their respective respnsibilities fr the implementatin f the 2030 Agenda. In paragraph 72, Gvernments als emphasized that a rbust, vluntary, effective, participatry, transparent and integrated fllw-up and review framewrk wuld make a vital cntributin t implementatin. 19 UNECE, Infrmatin paper, 20 years f Envirnmental Perfrmance Reviews: Impacts, lessns learned and the ptential t integrate the Sustainable Develpment Gals, Submitted by UNECE and UNEP, 27 May 2016, ECE/BATUMI.CONF/2016/INF/5 20 United Natins, Critical milestnes twards cherent, efficient and inclusive fllw-up and review at the glbal level- Reprt f the Secretary General- A/70/684 (htpp://