By Benedict Tembo
Zambia’s successful submission and approval of two multi-million dollar climate programmes have so far been ranked number one in accessing part of the US$350 million funds under the programme. This was revealed in Libreville, Gabon at the One Forest Summit. Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu MP has traveled to Libreville, for the Summit.
The two-day summit was announced at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, by French President Emmanuel Macron and President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, the Summit is being held as an opportunity to make progress and renew the global collective ambition regarding the preservation and sustainable management of forests, which are critical to tackling global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
The promotion of a North-South Solidarity, central to protecting these vital reserves, will also be a key element at the Summit.
Building on the experience of previous One Planet Summits, this year’s event has gathered Heads of States and Governments, leaders of international organisations, financial institutions, private sector, international Non Governmental Organisations, think tanks and research centers, indigenous people’s organisations and civil society.
Mr Nzovu, who is representing President Hakainde Hichilema, is also holding bilateral meetings with critical stakeholders on the sidelines of the event.
Mr Nzovu has so far held a meeting with Mafalda Duarte, the Chief Executive Officer of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), which has over US$11 billion and is one of the world’s largest multilateral funds for climate action in developing countries.
During the meeting, Ms. Duarte congratulated the minister for Zambia’s successful submission and approval of two multi-million dollar Expression of Interest for funding under the Nature, People and Climate Programme.
She informed the Minister that the two applications have so far been ranked number one in accessing part of the US$350 million funds under the program.
Ms. Duarte disclosed the two programmes as the Zambezi River Basin wide programme with four other countries (to be led by Zambia) and the National Nature programme.
The CIF Council will be meeting in June 2023 to decide on the actual funding amounts for the two programs.
Meanwhile, Mr Nzovu informed Ms Duarte that work on preparations for the Investment Programmes for the two Expressions of Interest had reached an advanced stage.
He said Zambia has expansive experience in leading regional programmes as such the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment is ready to lead the Regional Zambezi River Basin Nature. The Minister also met Frans Timmermans, the Vice-President of Cabinet of Executive of the European Green Deal and Commission for Climate Action Policy of the European Union.
The two leaders discussed the need to accelerate the implementation of the Zambia – European Union Forest Agreement which the two Parties signed during COP – 27 to which the Vice-President directed his delegation to immediately initiate works on bilateral projects with Zambia.
On the sidelines of COP-27, President Hichilema signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the EU aimed at partnering in the sustainable management of the forestry sector.
During the Libreville’s One Forest Summit, the European Union European Green Deal, Vice-President reaffirmed their continued support to Zambia for climate change and sustainable management of forests.
Nzovu and your govt have your priorities wrong. Our environmental challenges are not caused by climate change. They are caused by our selves. Lets deal with our local problems here. The floods are not caused by climate change. The rains are normal to above slightly above normal. And that is what we need for our Electricity generation.
Our towns are filthy , stinking and infested with disease. We cannot collect our own gabbage. We cannot eve manage dumpsites. Look at Chunga dumpsite! Lets focus on our immediate local enviromental problems. And these have nothing to do with climate change but ourselves. We are jus a dirty society.
We all know this is payment for being pro west……….
Who said the world order is fair ????