By Rudo Saungweme
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry has launched the Adaptation Fund National Implementing Entity (NIE) and Stakeholder Preparatory Workshop for the 25th Conference of Parties to the UNFCC, today in Harare.
Speaking at the launch, the Permanent Secretary for the ministry, Munesushe Munodawafa said, “…it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this momentous occasion, where we celebrate Zimbabwe’s Accreditation to the Adaptation Fund. I particularly welcome distinguished guests from the Republic of Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority whose presence at this event demonstrates a long-standing interest and commitment to cooperate with our country as we advance climate change adaptation," he said.
Munodawafa said that the event had brought together various institutions which include government departments, UN Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, the private sector, community leaders and representatives from the local communities who are most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
He said that no-one should be left behind as Zimbabwe advanced the adaptation agenda in order to create a climate change resilient nation.
Munodawafa said that Environmental Management Agency (EMA) was now able to access Adaptation Funding because Zimbabwe had been accredited.
"Accreditation means that EMA is now eligible to directly access climate financing from the Adaptation Fund to the tune of up to 5 million USD to enable the country to implement concrete climate change adaptation and resilience building projects. Direct access permits funds to be transferred directly to recipient countries via sub-national, national or regional Accredited Entities, removing the intermediary role that usually stalls progress.
"The Adaptation Fund was established by Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries that are part to the Kyoto Protocol and to allow direct access to the Fund by parties, "he said.
Zimbabwe is now the fourth NIE in Southern Africa after South Africa, Tanzania and Namibia and becomes the ninth NIE in Sub Saharan Africa to be accredited.
Climate Change is now recognised as one of the major developmental challenges facing mankind.
This year, the 25th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP25) will be held in Madrid, Spain from the 2nd to the 13th of December 2019. The Conference was usually crippled due to lack of funds in the previous years. Article 9 of the Paris Agreement states that developed countries shall provide financial resources to assist developing countries so that all countries can participate.
