[Seoul, August 25, 2020] – A new international partnership to support Pacific countries to tackle climate change has been signed today by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).

The NZD 4.7 million (USD 3.1 million) partnership  will help Pacific countries over the next three years to plan effectively for low-emission, climate resilient futures. New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Philip Turner, and GGGI’s Director‑General, Dr. Frank Rijsberman signed the arrangement at the GGGI’s Seoul headquarters. MFAT representatives joined virtually from Wellington to welcome the partnership between New Zealand and GGGI.

GGGI will help Pacific countries  to develop climate change policies, plans and investment road maps across a wide range of sectors – such as electricity, transport, agriculture, tourism, and urban planning. As countries set out their economic recovery strategies from the COVID-19 pandemic, there are opportunities to accelerate climate action and this partnership will utilise this crucial time to make change. There is an opportunity to build back ‘greener’, and opinion polls show that there is public support for that in COVID-19 recovery plans.

“GGGI is pleased to expand its partnership with New Zealand to support Pacific Island Countries transition to low emission, climate resilient development  – and to do so with a partner that has itself committed to bold climate action under a Zero Carbon Bill that sets a net-zero target for almost all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 ,” said Dr. Rijsberman.

“The launch of today’s partnership demonstrates our commitment to meaningful action on climate change, particularly for countries in the Pacific that are most vulnerable. We must not lose sight of the need for collective and decisive climate action alongside recovery from COVID‑19,” said Ambassador Turner.

Earlier in August, GGGI and the New Zealand Embassy in the Republic of Korea co-hosted the Climate Talk and Net Zero 2050 event in Seoul, both virtual and in-person, to raise awareness and understanding of climate action in New Zealand and Pacific Island Countries. The event, opened by GGGI’s President and Chair, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and New Zealand Minister for Climate Change, Hon. James Shaw, highlighted the role of private sector and government to partner in setting ambitious goals to guide enabling environment reforms and mobilize finance for climate action.

GGGI was established as an international intergovernmental organization in 2012 at the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Its vision is “a low-carbon, resilient world of strong, inclusive, and sustainable growth” and its mission “to support Members in the transformation of their economies into a green growth economic model”. GGGI does this through technical assistance to: reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement; create green jobs; increase access to sustainable services (such as clean affordable energy, sustainable waste management); improve air quality; sustain natural capital for adequate supply of ecosystem services; and enhance adaptation to climate change.