Twenty-first meeting of the GCF Board (B.21)

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/21/Add.01 titled “Status of accreditation master agreements and funded activity agreements”:

1. Takes note with appreciation of the progress made by the Secretariat in executing accreditation master agreements;
2. Also notes the text of the accreditation master agreement agreed with the Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO), as contained in annex I, which marks the changes against the template accreditation master agreement;
3. Approves the substantive changes in the accreditation master agreement agreed with the Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO) from the template accreditation master agreement set out in annex II; and
4. Authorizes the Executive Director to negotiate changes, which are in substance similar to those contained in the accreditation master agreement agreed with the Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO), to the accreditation master agreements to be entered into with other accredited entities which are similar in nature to the Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO), without requiring further Board approval in respect of such changes.

The Board:

Appoints Mr. Jeremiah G. Sokan as member of the Accreditation Committee for the remainder of the current term for members of the Accreditation Committee, starting on the date of adoption of this decision.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/Inf.10 titled “Reports from committees, panels, and groups of the Board of the Green Climate Fund”:

1. Takes note of the report on activities of the Private Sector Advisory Group as contained in document GCF/B.21/Inf.10;
2. Also takes note that the current term of existing external members of the Private Sector Advisory Group ends on 31 December 2018; and
3. Decides, on an exceptional basis and without prejudice to any future decisions of the Board regarding the appointment of external members to the Private Sector Advisory Group, to extend the terms of the existing external members of the Private Sector Advisory Group until 30 June 2019.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/16 titled “Workplan of the Board for 2019”:

1. Approves the workplan of the Board for 2019, as set out in annex III;
2. Requests the Co-Chairs to update the workplan following each meeting of the Board;
3. Decides to defer consideration of the following matters and requests the Secretariat, in consultation with the Co-Chairs and the relevant committees, panels and groups of the Board, to progress its work on these matters and present these for consideration by the Board in 2019:
   
   1. The development of the risk management framework and its remaining components requested pursuant to decision B.17/11, paragraph (g);
   2. Opportunities to engage the private sector, including local actors, in adaptation action at the national, regional and international levels, requested pursuant to decision B.17/06, paragraph (d)(ii);
   3. The detailed guidelines and procedures for the Independent Redress Mechanism, requested pursuant to decision B.13/24, paragraph (b);
   4. The review of the live webcasting service for formal meetings of the Board, requested pursuant to decision B.BM-2018/07, paragraph (b);
   5. The proposed approach to developing the GCF environmental and social safeguards standards, requested pursuant to decision B.19/10, paragraph (c); and
   6. The independent evaluation of the implementation of operational guidelines and the effectiveness of the Project Preparation Facility in order to draw lessons learned no later than the end of the initial resource mobilization period, requested pursuant to decision B.13/21, paragraph (e); and
4. Decides to consider in 2019 a proposal in response to the guidance from the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at its twenty- third session regarding privileges and immunities, requested pursuant to decision B.19/02, paragraph (d).

The Board, having considered the limited distribution document GCF/BM-2018/18 titled “Appointment of the Executive Director ad interim”:

1. Appoints Javier Manzanares to act as Executive Director ad interim of the Secretariat effective immediately and until such time as the new Executive Director appointed by the Board has taken office;
2. Authorizes the Co-Chairs to agree, on behalf of the Board, on arrangements, as appropriate, with the Executive Director ad interim, including:
   
   1. A performance agreement that will specify the outcome and behaviours expected for the duration of the role;
3. Decides that the Executive Director ad interim shall assume the functions and have the mandate of the Executive Director as provided for in the Governing Instrument for the Green Climate Fund and Board decisions; and
4. Further decides the Executive Director ad interim will not be precluded from applying for the Executive Director position.

The Board, having considered the limited distribution document GCF/BM-2018/21 titled “Selection process for the appointment of the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund Secretariat”:

1. Adopts the terms of reference of the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund Secretariat as set out in annex IV;
2. Also adopts the selection process for the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund Secretariat as set out in annex V;
3. Takes note of the indicative timeline of the entire process for the appointment of the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund Secretariat as set out in annex VI;
4. Establishes the Executive Director Selection Committee as an ad hoc committee of the Board in accordance with paragraphs 2(g) and 30 of the Rules of Procedure of the Board;
5. Adopts the terms of reference of the Executive Director Selection Committee as set out in annex VII;
   
   1. Appoints as members of the Executive Director Selection Committee:
   2. Ayman Shasly;
   3. Cyril Rousseau;
   4. Josceline Wheatley;
   5. Karma Tshering;
   6. Lennart Båge;
   7. Omar El-Arini;
   8. Paul Oquist; and
   9. Sue Szabo;
6. Requests the Co-Chairs of the Board for 2019 to promptly, upon their election by the Board, and following consultations with their respective constituencies, propose a decision for approval between meetings for the appointment of members to the Executive Director Selection Committee following the commencement of the third term of Board membership;
7. Decides to engage the services of an independent executive search firm to support the Executive Director Selection Committee;
8. Authorizes the Secretariat, notwithstanding the administrative guidelines on procurement, to issue the request for proposal for the independent executive search firm in accordance with the deadlines set out in annex VI;
9. Endorses the terms of reference of the independent executive search firm as set out in annex VIII;
10. Approves a budget increment for 2018/2019 for the selection of the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund Secretariat, including the costs of the independent executive search firm as set out in annex IX (limited distribution); and
11. Authorizes the Executive Director Selection Committee to engage the services of the independent executive search firm, with due observance of applicable procurement rules.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/Inf.10/Add.01 titled “Reports from committees, panels and groups of the Board of the Green Climate Fund – Addendum I”:

1. Takes note of the report on the activities of the ad hoc Trustee Selection Committee as contained in document GCF/B.21/ Inf.10/Add.01;
2. Selects and appoints the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development as the Trustee of the Green Climate Fund, subject to paragraph (c) below, and in accordance with the recommendation of the ad hoc Trustee Selection Committee and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change decision 9/CP.23, paragraph 16;
3. Requests the Secretariat to enter into direct contracting with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and to negotiate and finalize the terms and conditions of the legal and administrative arrangements with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in respect of its role as Trustee of the Green Climate Fund in accordance with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change decision 9/CP.23, paragraph 16, and the terms of reference of the “Permanent Trustee” as set out in decision B.19/03, annex I, and in a manner which ensures there is no discontinuity in trustee services;2  Authorizes the Executive Director to execute on behalf of the Green Climate Fund the legal and administrative arrangements with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development referred to in paragraph (c) above;
4. Requests the Secretariat to provide an update to the Board on the matters referred to in paragraphs (c) and (d) above at the twenty-second meeting of the Board; and
5. Decides, in accordance with paragraph 5 of its terms of reference, to terminate the ad hoc Trustee Selection Committee established by decision B.16/05.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.20/14 titled “Report on the execution of the 2018 administrative budget of GCF as at 31 July 2018”:

Takes note of the report on the execution of the 2018 administrative budget of GCF as at 31 July 2018.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/19 titled “Work programme of the Secretariat for 2019 and administrative budget”:

1. Recognizes that the work programme will help to guide the activities of the Secretariat during 2019;
2. Approves the work programme 2019 as contained in document GCF/B.21/19 and the goals and suggested policy priorities set out therein, in accordance with paragraph 23(e) of the Governing Instrument for the Green Climate Fund;
3. Also approves an administrative budget for the Green Climate Fund for the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 in the amount of USD 72,568,002, which includes 30,278,395 in new funding, as well as USD 42,289,607 for 2019 staff salaries and emoluments that was approved by the Board in decision B.18/12; and
4. Further approves USD 48,517,729 for projected staff salaries and emoluments for 2021.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/09 titled “Independent Redress Mechanism Work Plan and Budget for 2019”:

Approves the work plan and budget of the Independent Redress Mechanism for 2019 as contained in annex X and XI, respectively (total budgeted amount of USD 1,161,220).

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/13 titled “2019 Work Plan and Budget and Update of its Three-year Rolling Work Plan of the Independent Evaluation Unit”:

1. Approves the work plan and budget of the Independent Evaluation Unit for 2019 as contained in document GCF/B.21/13 and annex XII (total budgeted amount of USD 4,502,800); and
2. Notes the update on the rolling three-year work plan of the Independent Evaluation Unit outlined in annex XIII as requested by the Board to ensure flexibility, learning and predictability for the Independent Evaluation Unit.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/22 titled “Workplan and Budget of the Independent Integrity Unit for 2019”:

Approves the workplan and budget of the Independent Integrity Unit for 2019 as contained in annex II and III of document GCF/B.21/22 (total budgeted amount of USD 2,300,000).

The Board, recalling decision B.17/12:

1. Establishes the Performance Oversight Committee of the Executive Director and Heads of Independent Units in accordancewith paragraphs 2(g) and 30 of the Rules of Procedure of the Board;
2. Adopts the terms of reference of the Performance Oversight Committee of the Executive Director and Heads of Independent Units, as set out in annex XIV to this document;
3. Appoints the following Board members as members of the Performance Oversight Committee of the Executive Director and Heads of Independent Units for its initial term:
   
   1. [name of Co-Chair from developing country Parties];
   2. [name of Co-Chair from developed country Parties];
   3. [name of Board member from developing country Parties]; and
   4. [name of Board member from developed country Parties].

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.21/33/Rev.01 titled “Analysis of options for the financial planning of the commitment authority of the Green Climate Fund for the remainder of the initial resource mobilization period, 2019, and 2020”:

1. Takes note that the Green Climate Fund cumulative funding approvals as at the twenty- first meeting of the Board amount to USD 5.5 billion, and the remaining commitment authority for the initial resource mobilization period is currently projected at USD 1.7 billion;
2. Notes, in view of the above, that the Green Climate Fund will reach the end of the initial resource mobilization period (2015−2018) with the remaining commitment authority carried over into 2019, which necessitates financial planning of the resources of the Green Climate Fund for 2019 pending the conclusion of the first replenishment of the Green Climate Fund;
3. Takes note of the analysis on the options for financial management of the commitment authority contained in annex II to document GCF/B.21/33/Rev.01;
4. Intends that this decision on managing commitment authority for 2019 is without prejudice to the amounts originally provisionally allocated for the requests for proposal, or to the consideration of pipeline not brought forward in the next year;
5. Decides to allocate the remaining commitment authority for the initial resource mobilization period and 2019 for funding proposals as follows over the course of its meetings in 2019:
   
   1. Up to USD 600 million to fund projects submitted in response to requests for proposals and pilot programmes, including the requests for proposals on REDD- plus results-based payments, mobilizing funds at scale, micro, small and medium- sized enterprises, enhanced direct access and the simplified approval process; and
   2. Remaining commitment authority, projected to be in the range of USD 0.7−0.8 billion after accounting for subparagraph (e)(i) above and paragraphs (f)−(g) below, to be allocated for other funding proposals;
6. Requests the Budget Committee to present to the Board for its consideration at its twenty- second meeting a draft decision covering a set-aside for the operating costs of the Green Climate Fund (including administration of the Board, Secretariat, Trustee, and independent units) and foreign exchange commitment risk buffer for solvency risks for 2019 and 2020 as required;
7. Notes that the Board will consider the forward budget for the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme at its twenty-second meeting;
8. Requests the Secretariat to present funding proposals for the Board’s consideration and ensure resources for the operation of the Green Climate Fund in line with this decision and keep changes in the level of the Green Climate Fund commitment authority under review;
9. Also requests the Secretariat, in managing the pipeline for 2019, to bring forward funding proposals that fully align with the Green Climate Fund investment criteria and continue to balance commitments and diversity among accredited entities, across regions and across the initial results areas of the Green Climate Fund in accordance with prior decisions of the Board, particularly decision B.06/06 on resource allocation;
10. Further requests the Secretariat to develop for consideration by the Board at its twenty- second meeting an initial analysis of options to minimize the effects of currency fluctuations on the commitment authority of the Green Climate Fund.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/10/Rev.01 titled “Consideration of funding proposals”:

1. Takes note of the following funding proposals:
   
   1. Funding proposal 082 titled “Catalyzing Climate Finance (Shandong Green Development Fund)”, by the Asian Development Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.01, 14 and 30;
   2. Funding proposal 083 titled “Indonesia Geothermal Resource Risk Mitigation Project”, by the World Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.02/Rev.01 and 30;
   3. Funding proposal 084 titled “Enhancing climate resilience of India’s coastal communities” by the United Nations Development Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.03 and 30;
   4. Funding proposal 085 titled “Green BRT Karachi”, by the Asian Development Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.04 and 30;
   5. Funding proposal 086 titled “Green Cities Facility”, by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.05, 15 and 30;
   6. Funding proposal 087 titled “Building livelihood resilience to climate change in the upper basins of Guatemala’s highlands” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.06 and 30;
   7. Funding proposal 089 titled “Upscaling climate resilience measures in the dry corridor agroecosystems of El Salvador (RECLIMA)” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.08 and 30;
   8. Funding proposal 090 titled “Tonga Renewable Energy Project under the Pacific Islands Renewable Energy Investment Program”, by the Asian Development Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.09 and 30;
   9. Funding proposal 091 titled “South Tarawa Water Supply Project”, by the Asian Development Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.10 and 30;
   10. Funding proposal 092 titled “Programme for integrated development and adaptation to climate change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB)” by the African Development Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.11 and 30;
   11. Funding proposal 093 titled “Yeleen Rural Electrification Project in Burkina Faso” by the African Development Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.16 and 30;
   12. Funding proposal 094 titled “Ensuring climate resilient water supplies in the Comoros Islands” by the United Nations Development Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.13 and 30;
   13. Funding proposal 095 titled “Transforming Financial Systems for Climate” by Agence Française de Développement, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.22;
   14. Funding proposal 096 titled “DRC Green Mini-Grid Program” by the African Development Bank, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.23;
   15. Funding proposal 097 titled “Productive Investment Initiative for Adaptation to Climate Change (CAMBio II)” by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.24;
   16. Funding proposal 098 titled “DBSA Climate Finance Facility” by Development Bank of Southern Africa, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add. 25;
   17. Funding proposal 099 titled “Climate Investor One” by Nederlandse Financierings- Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V., as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.26/Rev.01;
   18. Simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 002 titled “Climate services and diversification of climate sensitive livelihoods to empower food insecure and vulnerable communities in the Kyrgyz Republic” by the World Food Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.33 and 34;
   19. Simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 003 titled “Enhancing climate resilience of the water sector in Bahrain” by the United Nations Environment Programme, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.35 and 36; and
   20. Simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 004 titled “Energy Efficient Consumption Loan Programme” by XacBank LLC, as contained in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.37 and 38;
2. Approves funding proposal FP083 for the amount of USD 100,000,000, submitted by the World Bank, as described in the funding proposal set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.02/Rev.01, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
3. Decides in respect of funding proposal FP083 that the World Bank may seek further approval of the Board at meetings of the Board or through decisions between meetings of commitment of further funding in an amount, when aggregated with the amounts previously approved by the Board, no greater than USD 185,000,000, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV;
4. Also approves funding proposal 084 for the amount of USD 43,418,606, submitted by the United Nations Development Programme, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
5. Further approves funding proposal 085 for the amount of USD 49,000,000, submitted by the Asian Development Bank, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
6. Approves funding proposal FP086 for the amount of EUR 87,000,000, submitted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as described in the addendum to the funding proposal set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.15, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
7. Decides in respect of funding proposal FP086 that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development may seek further approval of the Board at meetings of the Board or through decisions between meetings of commitment of further funding, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV on two occasions, provided that such request is:
   
   1. On the first occasion, for an amount no greater than EUR 87,000,000; and
   2. On the second occasion, when aggregated with the amounts previously approved by the Board, in an amount no greater than EUR 228,000,000;
8. Also approves funding proposal 087 for the amount of USD 22,035,512, submitted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
9. Further approves funding proposal 089 for the amount of USD 35,849,612, submitted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
10. Approves funding proposal 090 for the amount of USD 29,900,000, submitted by the Asian Development Bank, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
11. Also approves funding proposal 091 for the amount of USD 28,631,020, submitted by the Asian Development Bank, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
12. Further approves funding proposal 092 for the amount of USD 67,774,000, submitted by the African Development Bank, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
13. Approves funding proposal 093 for the amount of EUR 24,300,000, submitted by the African Development Bank , subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
14. Also approves funding proposal 094 for the amount of USD 41,919,808, submitted by the United Nations Development Programme, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.30/Rev.01;
15. Further approves funding proposal FP095, for the amount of EUR 240,000,000, submitted by Agence Française de Développement, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.22;
16. Approves funding proposal 096 for the amount of USD 21,000,000, submitted by the African Development Bank, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.23;
17. Also approves funding proposal 097 for the amount of USD 15,500,000, submitted by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.24;
18. Further approves funding proposal 098 for the amount of USD 55,610,000, submitted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.25;
19. Approves funding proposal 099 for the amount of USD 100,000,000, submitted by Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V., subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.26/Rev.01;
20. Also approves simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 002 for the amount of USD 8,576,108, submitted by the World Food Programme, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.34;
21. Further approves simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 003 for the amount of USD 2,158,500 submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme which shall be used to finance exclusively the activities under output 1.1 of component 1 and USD 161,888 to finance the project management cost, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.36;
22. Approves simplified approval process (SAP) funding proposal 004 for the amount of USD 10,000,000, submitted by XacBank LLC, subject to the conditions set out in annex XV and in the respective term sheet set out in document GCF/B.21/10/Add.38;
23. Decides to defer its further consideration of funding proposal 082 to the next meeting of the Board;
24. Reaffirms that pursuant to annex IV to decision B.17/09, the Executive Director or his designee is authorized to negotiate and enter into legal agreements on behalf of the GCF with accredited entities and other parties involved in respect of funding proposals approved by the Board, taking into account any condition approved by the Board in this decision and in the decision accrediting the relevant accredited entity; and
25. Authorizes the Secretariat to disburse fees for each funded project/programme approved by the Board as per the disbursement schedule to be agreed in the funded activity agreement in accordance with the policy on fees and the general principles and indicative list of eligible costs covered under GCF fees and project management costs adopted by the Board pursuant to decision B.19/09.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/17 and its limited distribution addenda Add.01, Add.02, Add.03 and Add.04 titled “Consideration of accreditation proposals”:

1. Takes note with appreciation of the assessments conducted by the Secretariat and the Accreditation Panel contained within the relevant annexes for the following applicants:
   
   1. Applicant 061 (APL061) is Caixa Economica Federal (CEF) based in Brazil, as contained in annex V in document GCF/B.21/17;
   2. Applicant 062 (APL062) is the Fondo para la Acción Ambiental y la Niñez (Fondo Acción) based in Colombia, as contained in annex VI in document GCF/B.21/17;
   3. Applicant 063 (APL063) is IDFC Bank Limited (IDFC Bank) based in India, as contained in annex VII in document GCF/B.21/17;
   4. Applicant 064 (APL064) is the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) based in the Cook Islands, as contained in annex VIII in document GCF/B.21/17;
   5. Applicant 065 (APL065) is the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) based in Pakistan, as contained in annex IX in document GCF/B.21/17;
   6. Applicant 066 (APL066) is the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) based in Finland, as contained in annex X in document GCF/B.21/17;
   7. Applicant 067 (APL067) is Pegasus Capital Advisors (PCA) based in the United States of America, as contained in annex XI in document GCF/B.21/17;
   8. Applicant 068 (APL068) is the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) based in Austria, as contained in annex XII in document GCF/B.21/17;
   9. Applicant 069 (APL069) is the Compañía Española de Financiación del Desarrollo S.A. S.M.E. (COFIDES) based in Spain, as contained in annex XIII in document GCF/B.21/17;
   10. Applicant 070 (APL070) is the Financiera De Desarrollo Territorial S.A. (Findeter) based in Colombia, as contained in annex XIV in document GCF/B.21/17;
   11. Applicant 071 (APL071) is the Fundo Brasileiro para a Biodiversidade (Funbio) based in Brazil, as contained in annex XV in document GCF/B.21/17;
   12. Applicant 072 (APL072) is the LandBank of the Philippines (LandBank) based in the Philippines, as contained in annex XVI in document GCF/B.21/17;
   13. Applicant 073 (APL073) is the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), based in Belize, as contained in annex XVII in document GCF/B.21/17;
   14. Applicant 074 (APL074) is BNP Paribas S.A. (BNP Paribas), based in France, as contained in annex XVIII in document GCF/B.21/17;
   15. Applicant 075 (APL075) is the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR), based in France, as contained in annex XIX in document GCF/B.21/17; and
   16. Applicant 076 (APL076) is the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB Invest), based in the United States of America, as contained in annex XX in document GCF/B.21/17;
2. Accredits applicants APL061, APL062, APL063, APL064, APL065, APL066, APL067, APL068, APL069, APL070, APL071, APL072, APL073, APL074, APL075 and APL076 pursuant to paragraph 45 of the Governing Instrument for the Green Climate Fund, and subject to, and in accordance with, the assessments by the Accreditation Panel contained in the relevant annexes for each of the applicants;
3. Takes note with appreciation of the assessment conducted by the Secretariat and the Accreditation Panel contained within the relevant annex for the following applicant seeking to upgrade its accreditation type:
   
   1. Peruvian Trust Fund for National Parks and Protected Areas (PROFONANPE), based in Peru, as contained in annex XXI in document GCF/B.21/17;
4. Agrees to upgrade the accreditation type of Peruvian Trust Fund for National Parks and Protected Areas (PROFONANPE) as contained in decision B.09/07, paragraph (b), subject to, and in accordance with, the assessment by the Accreditation Panel contained in annex XXI in document GCF/B.21/17; and
5. Recalling decision B.14/08, paragraph (d)(i), decision B.18/04, paragraph (c), and decision B.19/13, paragraph (c), decides that future accreditation decisions by the Board should aim to bring forward accredited entities that fulfil the mandate on balance, diversity and coverage and advance the objectives of GCF and, to that end, decides to prioritize up to the end of the twenty-third meeting of the Board the following, not listed in order of priority:
   
   1. National direct access entities nominated for accreditation by national designated authorities or focal points of countries that do not have an accredited direct access national entity;
   2. Private sector entities, in particular those in developing countries, seeking a balance of diversity of entities in line with decision B.09/07, paragraph (g) and decision B.10/06, paragraph (h);
   3. Entities responding to requests for proposals issued by the Green Climate Fund, for example, including a pilot phase for enhancing direct access; a pilot programme to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises; and a pilot programme to mobilize resources at scale in order to address adaptation and mitigation;
   4. Accredited entities seeking fulfilment of their conditions for accreditation; and
   5. Accredited entities requesting upgrades in their accreditation scope.

The Board, having considered document Green Climate Fund/B.21/27 titled “Performance review of the Green Climate Fund”:

1. Recalls paragraphs 59 to 62 of the Governing Instrument for the Green Climate Fund;
2. Decides to initiate a review of the performance of the Green Climate Fund, in a manner appropriate to the current stage of the Green Climate Fund operations and with a view to the Green Climate Fund being a learning institution;
3. Decides that the review should take into account, but not be limited to, the outcomes of existing Green Climate Fund review documents, including those listed in annex XVI;
4. Agrees that the scope of the review will be to assess:
   
   1. Progress made by the Green Climate Fund so far in delivering on its mandate as set out in the Governing Instrument for the Green Climate Fund as well as in terms of its core operational priorities and actions as outlined in the initial Strategic Plan of the Green Climate Fund and the Green Climate Fund’s business model, in particular, the extent to which the Green Climate Fund has responded to the needs of developing countries and the level of country ownership;
   2. The performance of the Green Climate Fund, including its funded activities and its likely effectiveness and efficiencies, as well as the disbursement levels to the funded activities; and
   3. The existing Green Climate Fund portfolio and pipeline, the application of financial instruments, and the expected impacts of funding decisions and other support activities, including in terms of mitigation and adaptation, on both a forward- and backward-looking basis;
5. Decides that the outcome of the performance review and the Board’s consideration of the performance review will be shared with the replenishment process;
6. Requests the Independent Evaluation Unit, drawing on relevant external expertise, as appropriate, to undertake the review as early as possible and present an initial report with emerging areas of recommendation no later than 28 March 2019, and to finalize the review no later than 30 June 2019; and
7. Approves a budget allocation of USD 500,000 for the review to be added to the Independent Evaluation Unit budget effective immediately and available for the remaining part of 2018 and for 2019, and requests the Budget Committee to review the budget allocation with the head of the Independent Evaluation Unit.

The Board, having reviewed document GCF/B.21/30/Rev.01 titled “Arrangements for the first formal replenishment of the Green Climate Fund” and document GCF/B.21/Inf.05 titled “Status of the initial resource mobilization process”, and taking account of guidance from the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change:

1. Reaffirms the objectives of the Green Climate Fund to channel new, additional, adequate and predictable financial resources and catalyse climate finance, both public and private, for developing countries, and promote a paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate- resilient development;
2. Stresses the importance and urgency of the Green Climate Fund conducting a successful and ambitious first replenishment process to continue advancing its mandate as an operating entity of the financial mechanism under Article 11 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;
3. Agrees that the first and successive replenishments of the Green Climate Fund should take into account the stated ambitions, actions and contributions of developing countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by meaningful mitigation actions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change, and that the Board will provide the replenishment process with strategic guidance;
4. Takes note that cumulative funding approvals have reached USD 5.5 billion, showing the significant scaling up of the Green Climate Fund’s capabilities to support low-emission and climate-resilient development in developing countries and the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement;
5. Also takes note that cumulative funding approvals have reached USD 5.5 billion, which triggers the first formal replenishment process;
6. Decides to launch the process for the Green Climate Fund’s first formal replenishment;
7. Further decides that the period of the first replenishment will be decided by the Board in 2019;
8. Stresses the urgency to reach pledges for replenishment, aiming to conclude the process in October 2019, recognizing that further pledges may be received during the replenishment period;
9. Requests the Secretariat to prepare the following documents for consideration by the Board and the replenishment process:
   
   1. A comprehensive report on the implementation of the Green Climate Fund’s initial Strategic Plan over the initial resource mobilization period (2015−2018);
   2. A document outlining areas in the Policies for Contributions, standard provisions, and template contributions agreement that may be updated for the Green Climate Fund’s first replenishment period, including the conditions necessary to trigger subsequent replenishments; and
   3. A strategic programming document outlining scenarios for the Green Climate Fund’s replenishment guided by ambitious mitigation and adaptation scenarios based on the Green Climate Fund’s implementation potential, taking into account the needs of developing countries, including actions based on nationally determined contributions, national adaptation plans, country programmes and other sources;
10. Also requests the Co-Chairs to consult with Board members and alternate Board members in relation to the preparation of the documents listed in paragraph (i) above;
11. Further requests the group of Board members and alternate Board members, consisting of the Co-Chairs and five representatives of developing countries and three representatives of developed countries, to represent the Board and the Green Climate Fund and actively engage in the replenishment process, including to present the outcomes of the Board’s deliberations listed in paragraph (i) and to report back to the Board on a regular basis;
12. Requests the Co-Chairs to consult with their respective constituencies for the nominations to the group identified in paragraph (k) above;
13. Takes note of paragraph (e) of decision B.21/17 that the outcome of the performance review and the Board’s consideration of the performance review will be shared with the replenishment process;
14. Endorses the process for the first replenishment process set out in annex XVII;
15. Requests the Co-Chairs of the Board to consult Board members and alternate Board members regarding proposals to appoint a global facilitator to oversee the replenishment process;
16. Also requests the Secretariat to begin making arrangements to facilitate the replenishment process;
17. Approves a budget of USD 1,296,500 to conduct the formal replenishment process, as detailed in annex XVIII to this decision, and requests the Budget Committee to review the budgetary allocation;
18. Requests the Trustee to provide support to the Secretariat, as part of its function to administer the GCF Trust Fund, on issues related to:
    
    1. Updating the standard provisions and template contributions agreement; and
    2. Other relevant financial management issues as agreed between the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund Secretariat and the Trustee;
19. Authorizes the Executive Director ad interim to confirm with the Trustee the scope of trustee support, as referred to in paragraph (r);
20. Reiterates the Board’s intention to review the Strategic Plan of the Green Climate Fund as part of the first replenishment process, with a view to revising the strategic vision, if and as needed, and to update the core operational priorities and underlying action plan; and
21. Invites members of the Board to send inputs on the update of the Strategic Plan to the Secretariat by 30 November 2018 in order for the Secretariat to produce a synthesis of issues for consideration by the Board at its twenty-second meeting.

The Board, having considered document GCF/B.21/06 titled “Dates and venues of the meetings of the Board in 2019”:

Decides that the twenty-second meeting of the Board will take place from Tuesday, 26 February to Thursday, 28 February 2019, in Songdo, Incheon, Republic of Korea.