The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has announced an accelerated programme of action in support of the government of Chad's climate priorities. GCF, the world's climate fund for developing countries, has committed to mobilise at least USD 100 million for Chad, subject to GCF Board approval.

The mobilisation of finance will provide urgently needed support for climate action, strengthening Chad’s efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Mobilised finance will focus on the country's climate priorities, supporting adaptive agriculture to reduce food insecurity and strengthening rural resilience in the face of climate change, while addressing the pressures of hosting refugee populations. The pipeline includes bringing a first-ever single-country project dedicated to Chad to the GCF Board for consideration at its meeting next month. GCF will also provide further capacity-building support to the government under its Readiness Programme, helping to coordinate climate planning, and prepare to successfully implement the climate projects in the pipeline.

The commitments were announced at the end of a mission to the country led by Mafalda Duarte, the Green Climate Fund's Executive Director. The GCF delegation, which also included the GCF Board Co-Chair, Ambassador Seyni Nafo, undertook two days of meetings with the government. 

Following the meetings, a communiqué and a joint declaration were made by Hassan Bakhit Djamous, Minister of the Environment, Fishery and Sustainable Development (MEPDD) and Mafalda Duarte, GCF Executive Director, outlining next steps arising from the mission. This includes a commitment to advance the application of the Ministry of Finance, Budget, Economy and International Cooperation (MFBEPCI) to become an Accredited Entity to GCF, and to develop a multi-annual partnership with the MFBEPCI.

Executive Director Mafalda Duarte stated: “GCF is committed to partnering with the government of Chad to support their response to climate change. Chad is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, and the investment pipeline we are announcing will provide urgently needed finance and accelerate the accreditation of the Ministry of Finance.

Over the past two years, GCF has reformed to become more efficient and to enhance our impact. We are confident that by working with the government of Chad and our partner organisations, we can ensure that finance is allocated in alignment with government priorities and is deployed rapidly and effectively.”

Among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, Chad faces combined climate threats including droughts, flooding and desertification, which have created critical levels of food insecurity. 

The country is also managing a large influx of refugees and high levels of internal displacement, as a consequence of climate change, instability and conflicts in neighbouring countries. Over one million Sudanese refugees and Chadian returnees have entered Chad from Sudan since the start of the conflict there in 2023. 

The mission to Chad took place ahead of this weekend’s African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, where GCF will highlight its support for Africa, particularly in relation to water, this year’s theme for the Union.