UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization formalizes readiness support partnership with GCF
GCF signed a Readiness Framework Agreement to enable developing countries to partner with FAO on activities that enhance their access to GCF.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have signed a Readiness Framework Agreement to enable developing countries to partner with FAO on activities that enhance their access to GCF.
The agreement was signed in Marrakech during the UN climate change conference by FAO Deputy Director-General, Ms. Maria Helena Semedo, and GCF Executive Director a.i., Mr. Javier Manzanares, as well as GCF Country Programming Director, Mr. Ousseynou Nakoulima.
FAO is supporting countries in their response to the impacts of climate change by providing technical guidance, data and tools for improved decision making and the implementation of adaptive measures.
"This partnership will allow us to move forward and support countries to effectively use climate finance to truly transform the agricultural sectors. Investing in sustainable agriculture can increase productivity and incomes while improving food security," said Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General of FAO.
As a GCF readiness delivery partner, FAO will engage through National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and GCF’s Accredited Entities to develop requests under the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, which is a dedicated and cross-cutting programme to strengthen countries’ engagement with the Fund.
Under the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, countries may also request support to develop national adaptation plans (NAPs) and other adaptation planning processes. FAO is already supporting countries to design NAPs as well as Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs).
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Nakoulima said, “FAO’s expertise in the area of sustainable management and utilization of land and water resources complements the mandate of the GCF by providing countries with specialized technical assistance to strengthen climate resilience.”
The Green Climate Fund provides early support for readiness and preparatory activities to enhance country ownership and access. This ‘country readiness’ funding is a dedicated and cross-cutting programme that maximizes the effectiveness of the Fund by empowering developing countries.