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QFFD and GGGI conclude agreements on four projects to support climate resilience and COVID19 recovery in the Pacific, Eastern Caribbean, and West African regions

Doha, State of Qatar / Seoul, Republic of Korea (December 10, 2020)

Building on a global MoU signed earlier this year, QFFD and GGGI concluded a 3-year agreement totaling USD 9.85 million to support four projects: Eastern Caribbean Green Entrepreneurship Initiative, Pacific Green Entrepreneur Network, Climate Smart Agriculture for Kiribati, and Solar-Powered Irrigation for Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Senegal River Valley. Due to the COVID19 restrictions, the signing ceremony was held virtually with in-person presence of officials in Doha, Seoul, and member countries.

The projects will enhance target countries’ capacity and innovation in climate resilience, create more than 8500 direct jobs, improve incomes of 5500+ farmers, and support 600+ micro-, small- and medium enterprises in locally relevant green industries. GGGI’s country/regional programs will implement the projects in close collaboration with respective government/regional agencies and private sector.

The agreements were signed by His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, Director General of QFFD and Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Director-General of GGGI, in virtual presence of government officials from member countries and GGGI and QFFD staffs.

In his remarks, H.E. Director-General Al-Kuwari said, “QFFD remains committed to work closely with its strategic partners like GGGI. This Cooperation with GGGI will emphasize the state of Qatar’s role in mitigating climate change side by side with the global community in addition to supporting the least develop countries, through achieving the SDGs”.

“Qatar and QFFD’s leadership are commendable in supporting climate resilience and ambition in SIDS and LDCs that are hit hardest by both climate change and the COVID19 pandemic. We are excited to work with QFFD in delivering impactful projects that would not only enhance climate resilience, local innovation, and jobs creation in SIDS and LDCs, but will also support these countries in building back better from the impacts of this pandemic”, remarked Director-General Dr. Rijsberman.

During the ceremony, esteemed officials from three beneficiary countries – H.E. Ms.Makereta Konrote, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Fiji, Mr Mamour Ousmane Ba, Director-General at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Cooperation of Senegal, and Mr Timon Uatioa, Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Lands, Environment and Agricultural Development of Kiribati – also provided remarks to reiterate support and cooperation in implementing the projects.

From GGGI, Deputy Director-General Amb. Hyoeun Jenny Kim and Assistant Director-General Gerard  O’ Donoghue witnessed the signing. GGGI’s focal point for QFFD, Dr Pranab Baruah moderated the ceremony and thanked QFFD and GGGI staff involved in realizing the agreements and the event.

About the projects:
The Eastern Caribbean Green Entrepreneurship Initiative and the Pacific Green Entrepreneur Network projects will provide business incubation and development support, as well as grant and no-interest loan financing to potential entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises in locally relevant green sectors in 12 Pacific and Caribbean countries. The Climate Smart Agriculture for Kiribati project is aiming to increase local production, consumption, and awareness of nutritious vegetables by engaging schools and utilizing school gardens in the Tawara atoll, and by providing climate smart agriculture training and equipment to micro-businesses. The Senegal project will improve crop yield and climate resilience in the Senegal River Valley through training and equipment on climate smart agriculture and solar irrigation systems and by providing income support to farmers. For more information on these projects and impacts, please contact respective GGGI country/regional offices.

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About Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD):
QFFD is a public development institution committed, on behalf of the State of Qatar, to implement external aid projects under Law No. 19 of 2002 and its amendments. It has provided aid to several countries around the world to achieve the international cooperation goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030. The Qatar Fund for Development’s main goal is to achieve inclusive and sustainable development, by addressing priority issues of education, health, and economic empowerment.

About Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI):
GGGI is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization that supports emerging and developing country governments in pursuing a climate resilient green growth to achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. Currently, 38 countries and regional integration organization are members of GGGI that have ratified GGGI’s Establishment Agreement. The State of Qatar is a founding member of GGGI and currently serves in its Council, executive organ of GGGI presided by His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon.