Argentina

The objective of the Third National Communication (TNC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Project is to strengthen the information base and... Show More + institutional capacity of the key members of the Steering Committee, in order to integrate climate change priorities into the Recipient's development strategies and relevant sector program by providing financial and technical support to prepare the TNC. The closing date of the project will be extended from May 31, 2013 until November 13, 2014. The extension is necessary given that the project design requires a sequencing between different studies (i.e., results of a study will be needed in order to prepare a policy recommendation. Show Less -

The objectives of the Second Adaptable Program Loan (APL) for the National Highway Asset Management Project for Argentina are: (a) to further preserve the Non-Concessioned... Show More + National Road Network, through the expansion of Performance-based Rehabilitation and Maintenance Contracts (CREMA) contracts for said network; and (b) to further strengthen National Highway Directorate (DNV's) road sector management capacity. The restructuring will trigger the following six safeguards policies: natural habitats, forests, pest management, physical cultural resources, indigenous peoples, and involuntary resettlement. Additionally, by approval of the Country Director, the restructuring: (i) supports a minor reallocation of the loan proceeds; and (ii) extends by 18 months the closing date of the project, from December 31, 2011 to June 30, 2013, to allow for completion of planned project activities. Show Less -

The development objective of the Third National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Project for Argentina is to strengthen the... Show More + information base and institutional capacity of the key organizations, members of the project steering committee, to integrate climate change priorities into development strategies and relevant sector programs of the Argentine Republic by providing financial and technical support to prepare its Third National Communication (TNC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The restructuring includes changes to the project implementation arrangements as requested by the Argentine Republic (the Recipient) in terms of financial management (FM) and procurement responsibilities. The Climate Change Directorate (CCD) within Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development (SAyDS) is the focal point for the UN climate change convention, and it has the institutional mandate to prepare national communications. The CCD will lead the technical aspects of the project within the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), whereas the Unit of Programs and Projects with International Financing (AFOIC) will be in charge of overall project implementation. Institutional roles have been revised as part of this restructuring in order to reflect participation of the AFOIC the project was endorsed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on October 1, 2010 and approved by the World Bank Board on February 1, 2011. After approval, the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers (JGM) informed the Bank that the project will be fully managed by the SAyDS, given that the SAyDS has recovered its fiduciary independence in accordance with the terms dated February 10, 2011. A Financial Management (FM) assessment of the arrangements as part of the restructuring for the approved project has been performed in accordance with and in line with Bank specific guidelines. The objective of this assessment was to determine whether the FM arrangements for the proposed operation are acceptable to the Bank. The entity's arrangements are considered acceptable if its budgeting, accounting, internal control, funds flow, financial reporting and auditing arrangements: (i) are capable of correctly and completely recording all transactions and balances relating to the project; (ii) facilitate the preparation of regular, timely and reliable financial statements; (iii) safeguard the project's assets; and (iv) are subject to auditing arrangements acceptable to the Bank. Show Less -

Ratings for the Native Forests and Protected Areas (NFPA) Project for Argentina were as follows: outcomes were satisfactory, risk to development outcome was negligible... Show More + to low, Bank performance was moderately satisfactory, and borrower performance was moderately satisfactory. Ratings for the Biodiversity Conservation Project (ABC) for Argentina were as follows: outcomes were satisfactory, risk to development outcome was moderate, Bank performance was moderately satisfactory, and borrower performance was satisfactory. Some lessons learned included: The Bank should encourage natural resource project managers to take advantage of rapidly changing advances in biodiversity conservation methods and tools to complement traditional on-the-ground monitoring of indicator species surveys. These include satellite imagery and aerial photographs of habitat vegetation cover, or real-time remote monitoring devices and camera traps when conservation of specific species is the objective. Blending different lending instruments, such as International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loans with Global Environment Facility (GEF) grants, to achieve different natural resource management objectives can be an effective way to engage clients in addressing the full range of sector challenges they face. For example, the decision to use an IBRD loan to help Argentina increase park system revenues under the NFPA Project while preserving ecoregions of global significance under the ABC Project justified the use of a GEF grant. When experimenting with new techniques or approaches to land-use practices or natural resource management, it is best to approach experimental interventions in a measured way assuming that unexpected difficulties, costs, and delays will inevitably arise. The NFPA Project conducted applied research projects on compatible land-use practices in productive landscapes while the ABC Project introduced alternative, less destructive productive activities in park buffer zones. Show Less -

The development objective of the Road Safety Project of Argentina is to contribute to the reduction of road traffic injuries and fatalities through the strengthening... Show More + of the country's institutional framework and management capacity for road safety and the reduction of road crashes in selected pilot corridors. The project is not likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented. Direct environmental impacts should not affect an area broader than the sites or facilities subject to physical works of sub-projects. Such impacts are expected to consist potentially of noise, vibration, dust, and traffic disruption. Additional negative impacts during construction may occur due to haulage and final disposal of materials. Most of these impacts can be mitigated by proper designs and environmental and social management measures that have to be followed. Show Less -