The Government of the Independent State of Samoa today signed an agreement with the Green Climate Fund to provide the organisation with Privileges and Immunities. The agreement was signed on the occasion of the 15th meeting of the Board that is currently taking place in Samoa, the first time such meeting is held in the Pacific.

The immunities granted are in line with those of other international organisations and those applied in the United Nations system.

The Executive Director ad interim of the GCF Secretariat, Mr Javier Manzanares said the granting of Privileges and Immunities is highly important for the effective operationalisation of the Fund’s investments.

Pursuant to a decision by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), governments recommended that Parties to the UNFCCC enter bilateral agreements with the Green Climate Fund by promptly providing Privileges and Immunities.

The conclusion of such agreements is warranted to protect the Fund’s assets and ensure the effective performance of the Fund’s activities.

To date, nine nations have granted Privileges and Immunities status to GCF. Four of these countries belong to the group of Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.