The Federal Government and development partners have begun to mobilise activities under the eighth funding replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-8) that will enable stakeholders address major drivers of environmental degradations in the country.
GEF allocation to Nigeria under the GEF-8 cycle is $21.410 million.
GEF supports developing countries to prioritise environmental action that delivers global environmental benefits.
Implementing agencies are Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
As part of the programme, a two-day 12th GEF Steering Committee Meeting was organised in Abuja over the weekend by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with FAO to sensitise participants on the new facility.
In his keynote address, Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, who called for integrated approach to address environmental challenges, said the meeting is of strategic importance in view of the post-COVID-19 emerging issues and the coincidence of the new GEF cycle with a new programming direction for which there will be need for stakeholders to get properly informed and be in tune with the GEF standard and operation.
Represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics/GEF Operation Focal Point, Mallam Jonah Stanley, said the minister said the programme would also engender global environment rehabilitation and sustainability.
“It is incumbent on the recipient countries to take advantage of this seed grants, mobilise the citizenry without leaving any one behind in efforts towards ensuring that emerging environmental adversities are restrained, the long-term degradations are reversed and expected ones are forestalled,” he said.
Abdullahi implored experts and professionals to use the forum to start a new level of synergy that will see the government, implementing agencies, the Community Based Organisations (CBOs), opinion leaders and communities to take collective and individual climate actions towards the environment.
FAO Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Fred Kafeero, represented by Climate Change Specialist, Ms. Nifesimi Ogunkua, said FAO supports countries worldwide in addressing the complex challenges at the nexus between the environment, agriculture, forestry, marine and freshwater resources.
“FAO’s global GEF portfolio currently exceeds $1 billion, assisting more than 120 countries in projects that respond to local priorities, delivering global environmental benefits and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“For us as FAO, the eighth GEF replenishment cycle (GEF-8), offers new opportunities for collaboration and impact, while leveraging on FAO’s extensive technical expertise, strong field presence and in-country alliances,” he said.
According to him, FAO in Nigeria has been supporting government in convening diverse stakeholders, facilitating partnerships and mobilise resources for the government of Nigeria in designing and delivering projects that achieve sustainable, scalable results in the GEF-8 focal areas and integrated programmes.
“Within the focal areas that will continue in GEF-8, FAO will provide unparalleled knowledge, experience and technical assistance in the following priority areas of biodiversity, climate change, international waters and land degradation.
“FAO will also provide unique support and partnership in the proposed GEF-8 integrated programmes, particularly in food systems, ecosystem restoration, Amazon, critical forest biomes, wildlife conservation for development and sustainable cities, “he added.
