Algeria outlines climate action ahead of COP 21

During a one-day visit to the Algerian capital, the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, Héla Cheikhrouhou, interacted with government officials to learn first hand about the country’s climate action portfolio ahead of the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC.

Upon invitation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Cheikhrouhou’s mission on 25 October provided an opportunity to highlight the ways in which the Green Climate Fund can support the country in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, including rapid desertification and land degradation.

With the country’s Minster of Energy, Mr. Salah Khebri, discussion focused on Algeria’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC). The country’s plan, which was submitted in September 2015, outlines its mitigation strategy focused on the energy, forests, housing, transport, industry, and waste sectors. As outlined in its INDC, Algeria aspires to by 2030 significantly boost its use of domestically produced renewable energy by harnessing its prime location on the planet to tap into wind, solar, and geothermal energy.

In her engagements with the Minister of Water Resources and Environment, Mr. Abdelwahab Nouri, and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Abderrahmane Benkhalfa, GCF's Executive Director outlined the Fund’s business model and provided updates on key developments related to its operationalization.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Cheikhrouhou briefed the Ministry’s Secretary-General, Mr. Abdelhamid Senouci Bereksi, and other policymakers and experts during a conference focused solely on the Fund.

The Executive Director’s visit to Algeria caps a series of high-level missions held in 2015 to bring particular focus and support to the climate challenges and priorities of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and African States. Other countries visited included Ethiopia, Mali, Peru, and the Philippines.