The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Close to 30 countries have jointly pledged a contribution of USD 4.1 billion (15 trillion Shillings) to protect the future of the planet and human well-being.
The funding is expected to help the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support its new four-year investment cycle, (known as GEF-7), to help safeguard the world’s forests, land, water, climate, and oceans, build green cities. The money will also be used to protect threatened wildlife, and tackle new environmental threats like marine plastic pollution.
“We are pleased with the outcome of the negotiations; It is entirely in line with government priorities,” said Isabella Lovin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Climate Minister of Sweden, who hosted the donors at a meeting held on Wednesday in Stockholm Sweden.
PRESS RELEASE: Nations rally to protect global environment. Countries pledge US$4.1 billion to the Global Environment Facility @theGEF #GEF7 https://t.co/b1bIxgR0t4 pic.twitter.com/HGr5Lkm35Z
— GEF (@theGEF) April 25, 2018
She said the Fund’s working methods have been further strengthened, giving it more of a strategic climate focus and increased resources, including for biodiversity, chemicals and waste.
Naoko Ishii, GEF Chief executive Officer and Chairperson said a clear majority of donors have stepped up their support signalling the urgency of the global environmental agenda, and trust in her organization to help tackle the problem and achieve even greater results.
She added that with an emphasis on addressing the drivers of environmental degradation, gender equality, and stronger collaboration with the private sector, the Global Environment Facility is now poised to deliver even greater results for the environment and better value for money.
Uganda is among the countries that are expected to receive funding under GEF-7 having been one of the recipients under the sixth round of the facility funding.
Nations rally to protect the global environment with US$4.1 billion in pledges for @theGEF agenda during #GEF7 https://t.co/RdMiIQ0M2l pic.twitter.com/fsLQZ8bJ3o
— GEF (@theGEF) April 26, 2018
The Global Environment Facility under the ending round of funding supported Uganda to a tune of USD 10 million (36 billion Shillings) under a project known as the system of the Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR).
The money has been allocated for projects in Climate Change, Biodiversity and Land Degradation.
Patrick Ocailap, the GEF Operational Focal point and also Deputy Secretary to the Treasury recently confirmed in an interview with URN that the funding under the previous round was used to formulate projects for sustainable solutions to areas affected by the problems faced within the three focal areas.”
