The Nairobi Framework, adopted in 2006 and launched by then-Secretary- General Kofi Annan, aims to help developing countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, to improve their level of participation in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and enhance the CDM's geographical scope. The CDM enables sustainable development projects in developing countries that reduce emissions (or enhance sinks through afforestation or reforestation).

The Nairobi Framework was initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank and the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Currently there are eight partner agencies in the Nairobi Framework, with additional UN agencies having joined such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in October 2007, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in 2009.

Focus of the Nairobi Framework

• Build capacity in developing CDM project activities
• Build and enhance capacity of CDM Designated National Authorities to become fully operational
• Promote investment opportunities for projects
• Improve information sharing / outreach / exchange of views on activities / education and training
• Inter-agency coordination

Nairobi Framework implementation by partner agencies

The partner agencies have developed a work programme 2010 highlighting what activities the partners are implementing in collaboration with organisations or governments with the aim of responding to the objectives of the framework.

Most of the partners are focussing on activities that address capacity building in developing CDM projects covering regions in Africa, Caribbean, Pacific, and Latin America. Technical assistance is provided to targeted countries to build capacity in project identification, design and implementation to be able to participate in the carbon market. Other areas include strengthening the institutional and technical capacities of DNAs in selected countries, training workshops for project developers and other stakeholders are planned or already held on developing PDDs, PoA development, SD criteria, CDM project review and approval process, and legal and legislative requirements.

Tools and information products are being developed such as CDM investor guide, methodology selection tool, brochures, publications; e- learning, knowledge management platforms established to exchange information on best practices and lessons learned, including south and south exchanges.

There are initiatives to promote investment opportunities for CDM through regional carbon forums and facilities such as the Africa Carbon Asset Development (ACAD) offer innovative ways for collaboration with African financial institutions and local project developers to enhance their awareness and expertise to invest in the African carbon market. Another facility is the Millennium Development Goals Carbon Facility (MDGCF) that aims to catalyse investment opportunities for CDM project in under represented countries.

Supporting CDM project opportunities on the web

To further assist in the exchange of information on CDM project opportunities, including in Africa, the UNFCCC launched the CDM Bazaar in 2007. The CDM Bazaar is a web-based facility (www.cdmbazaar.net), which seeks to support project opportunities in the following ways:

• Provide a market where people meet and information is exchanged - at low cost (free, internet based)
• Have project developers indicate in this virtual space what their ideas and proposals are, and be discovered.
• Have service companies (experts, brokers, information platforms, other market platforms) make their services known
• Have buyers and investors indicate their interest to buy/invest in particular areas and be approached

Further improvements on the CDM Bazaar continue to be made to make it more user friendly and reach out to developing countries.