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FG, FAO seek integrated approach to curb land degradation

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam
20 February 2023   |   4:10 am
As the country continues to rise from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government and development partners have began 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.

Sitting: Assistant Director, Policy/Global Environment Facility (GEF) Desk Officer, Aleriwon Daniel (left); Representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Udumma Nwokike; Deputy Director, Planning and Policy, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Aishatu Sani Yashe; Representative of the Minister, Federal Ministry of Environment/ Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mallam  Jonah Stanley; Representative of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)/ Climate Change Specialist, Ms. Nifesimi Ogunkua and South East Coordinator for GEF Small Grant Programme, Mrs. Ijeoma Nnaji and other participants during the 12th GEF Steering Committee Meeting in Abuja

• As Nigeria gets $21.4m for GEF 8 cycle projects

As the country continues to rise from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government and development partners have began 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 is the largest and most experienced multilateral fund dedicated to addressing environmental threats to the planet. It 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 last week by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with FAO to sensitise participants on the new facility. GEF allocation to Nigeria under the GEF-8 cycle is $21.410 million.
   
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, 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.
  
His words: “We must see ourselves as agents of the renaissance we want. We must act now as we think globally, while acting locally. Your ingenious thoughts, and creative minds will go a long way during this meeting in shaping our collective resolve to better the environment for us and our communities.”
  
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.
  
Kafeero also pledged FAO Nigeria support to meet Nigeria’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target and its global commitment under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.  
    
GEF Desk Officer, Aleriwon Daniel, explained that GEF funding windows for projects are as follows: Full-Sized Projects (FSPs) from $2 million and above; Medium-Sized Projects (MSPs) up to $2 million and Small Grant Programme (SGP), maximum of $50,000.
  
On enabling activities, he said: “Up to $350,000 for biodiversity and climate change focal areas, $500,000 for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and $200,000 for land degradation to help countries prepare national inventories, strategies, action plans, National Implementation Plans (NIPs), National Communications and reports under these conventions.”
   
At the end of the meeting, the members and stakeholders resolved that the Federal Government should redeem its pledges to the GEF Trust Fund; that the Federal Ministries of Environment, Finance, Budget and National Planning to strategise on attending replenishment
meetings and work together to source for more counterpart funding.
  
They also emphasised the need for greater synergy and cooperation among actors in the sector to ensure a sustainable environment in Nigeria, as well as need to engage competent consultant to train stakeholders on project development in line with GEF focal areas and national priorities.

The meeting also agreed on the need to scale up awareness creation to national and sub-national policy makers on GEF and its benefits.

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