Zambia Commended For Top Application For US$350 Million Climate Programme

Zambia has been ranked number one in accessing part of the US$350 million funds under the Nature, People, and Climate Programme after submitting and getting approval for two multi-million dollar climate programs.

The ranking was revealed at the One Forest Summit held in Libreville, Gabon, which was announced at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, by French President Emmanuel Macron and President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.

The Summit brought together leaders of international organizations, financial institutions, private sectors, NGOs, think tanks, research centres, indigenous people’s organizations, and civil society to discuss the preservation and sustainable management of forests, which are crucial in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu MP, represented President Hakainde Hichilema at the Summit and held bilateral meetings with critical stakeholders on the side lines of the event.

He met with Mafalda Duarte, the CEO of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), who congratulated the Minister for Zambia’s successful submission and approval of two multi-million dollar Expression of Interest for funding under the Nature, People, and Climate Programme.

Duarte disclosed that the two programs, the Zambezi River Basin wide program with four other countries to be led by Zambia and the National Nature program, have been ranked number one in accessing part of the US$350 million funds under the program.

The CIF Council will decide on the actual funding amounts for the two programs in June 2023.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nzovu informed Ms. Duarte that the preparations for the Investment Programmes for the two Expressions of Interest had reached an advanced stage, and Zambia was ready to lead the Regional Zambezi River Basin Nature.

He also met Frans Timmermans, the Vice-President of the Cabinet of Executive of the European Green Deal and Commission for Climate Action Policy of the European Union, to discuss the need to accelerate the implementation of the Zambia-European Union Forest Agreement, which the two parties signed during COP-27.

During the One Forest Summit, the European Union European Green Deal Vice-President reaffirmed their continued support for Zambia in climate change and sustainable forest management.

 The Vice-President directed his delegation to immediately initiate works on bilateral projects with Zambia, after President Hichilema signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EU at COP-27 aimed at partnering in the sustainable management of the forestry sector.