CF-Assist and Designated National Authorities (DNAs)
CF-Assist has–and continues to–provide assistance to host country governments to help establish the Designated National Authority (DNA). Like any new project, the activity on which the CDM project is based will be required to obtain all necessary approvals required by project investors and developers under national laws. Such approvals could include development and planning consents, environmental impact assessments, foreign investment approvals and general compliance with other investment laws. However, where a project is to be developed as a CDM project, it will also be necessary that it obtains the approval of the non-Annex I country hosting the project (the "Host Country") to pursue the project as a CDM project in accordance with any sustainable development policy requirements and any other legal requirements set out by that Host Country.
The Designated National Authority of each Party involved in a CDM project activity is required to submit to the project participants “written approval of voluntary participation...” (Marrakech Accords, Decision 17/CP.7/CMP.1 Modalities and procedures for a clean development mechanism Annex, para. 40). Thus, the letter of approval from each participating Party must state that participation by the Parties is voluntary. In addition, the letter of approval from Host countries must also state the project meets the country’s sustainable development criteria.
