November 13, 2024

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IUCN Rwanda and Enabel, along with other partners, joined the Ministry of Environment in welcoming attendees of the GCF Board Meeting in Kigali

The collaboration between IUCN, Enabel, and other partners demonstrates a strong commitment to combating deforestation and promoting sustainable agriculture in Rwanda, paving the way for a greener and more environmentally friendly future for the nation.

By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU

Delegates from around the world are gathering in Kigali for the 38th meeting of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), where a welcome ceremony was held on Sunday, March 4, 2024, to kick off the event.

Among the attendees were representatives from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel), who joined Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, and Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the GCF during a welcome event.

The meeting, which takes place from March 4-7, 2024, marked the first time the GCF meeting has been held in Africa.

Delegates are set to discuss environmental protection projects and initiatives, with a focus on sustainable agriculture and combating deforestation.

One of the projects highlighted during the welcome event is the ‘Green Gicumbi Project’ which aims to address climate change and promote eco-friendly economic practices.

Another project is the Green Climate Fund funded project known as TREPA which focuses on building resilience against climate change impacts in Eastern Rwanda through reforestation and afforestation efforts.

With funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and accredited to International Union for Conservation of Nature- IUCN, the project “Transforming Eastern Province through adaptation” (TREPA) aims to achieve a paradigm shift in land management practices in Rwanda’s Eastern Province from landscapes that are degraded, fragile and unable to sustain livelihoods in the face of climate change to restored ecosystems and landscapes through building community resilience to enhance livelihoods, food, and water security of the most vulnerable rural population.

By planting millions of trees across the province, TREPA seeks to restore vital ecosystems, mitigate climate change, and create sustainable habitats for various species.

The project is jointly executed by the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Environment represented by Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) in collaboration with IUCN, Enabel, CIFOR-ICRAF, World Vision and Cordaid.

Rwanda has been proactive in utilizing funds from the GCF to implement successful environmental projects, with a recent two-phase investment totaling $80 million.

 The country’s commitment to environmental protection is evident through initiatives like the ‘Ireme Invest’ fund, which supports private projects promoting environmentally sustainable economic growth.

Minister Mujawamariya expressed gratitude to the GCF for choosing Rwanda as the meeting venue and emphasized the importance of continuing to protect the environment.

Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya speaking at the reception Event.

The GCF Director, Mafalda Duarte, commended Rwanda for its effective use of funds and pledged ongoing support for the country’s environmental goals.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CGF BOARD MEETING?

Eleven project funding proposals requesting a total of USD 489.9 million of GCF funding will be put to the GCF Board for approval. These include six adaptation projects, one mitigation project, and four cross-cutting projects. Seven of the funding proposals target vulnerable countries (Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and African States). With co-financing, the funding proposals under consideration have a total value of USD 1.26 billion. 

The Board will also consider proposals from eight organisations for GCF accreditation, six of which are sub-national, national, or regional organisations (Direct Access Entities).

Other items on the agenda include reports on the activities of the GCF Secretariat and independent units, the action plan to implement GCF’s strategic plan for 2024-2027, the Board workplan for 2024-2027, and the status of GCF resources, pipeline, and portfolio performance. In addition, there will be the Co-Chairs’ proposal in response to the COP28 guidance to GCF, and presentations by the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) on its evaluation to GCF’s approach to the energy sector and GCF’s Investment Framework.

The agenda of the 38th GCF Board meeting can be found here.

The meeting is the first to be held under the direction of the Board’s new Co-Chairs, Milagros De Camps German from the Dominican Republic, and Sarah Metcalf from the United Kingdom. GCF Board members and their alternates are drawn equally from developed and developing countries. 

See the Boardroom section of the GCF website to find out more about the Board’s composition and to follow the proceedings via live stream. Follow #GCFB38 for updates posted on GCF’s social media channels.

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