The Green Climate Fund hosted its first regional workshop for Latin American countries to advance the region’s push to be a leader in promoting low-emission and climate-resilient sustainable development.

The three-day workshop, held in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa from 28 to 30 November, focused on accelerating countries’ engagement with GCF and providing a platform to exchange knowledge among different stakeholders working in the region.

More than 80 participants, including representatives of 17 countries, 10 accredited entities, 6 civil society organizations and other partners, took part in discussions and presentations highlighting countries’ climate priorities and projects.

Sessions provided guidance on how to access the GCF and the support modalities available to build and strengthen capacity. Countries shared their experiences in developing project and programme proposals at the national and regional levels including innovative approaches to kick-start National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Appropriated Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in energy efficiency, livestock production and waste management.

Speaking at the event, the Honduran Minister of Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Mines Hon Jose Antonio Galdames highlighted that the most vulnerable people and communities should be at the centre of all climate actions, and he encouraged participants to give climate change a human face.

On 1 December, GCF National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and focal points participated in a joint GCF and Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) one-day regional forum of CTCN’s national designated entities in Latin America. The gathering promoted greater collaboration between the Fund’s NDAs and the CTCN national designated entities. It fostered dialogue on opportunities to increase cooperation between the financial and technological mechanisms of the UN Frame Convention on Climate Change.