Tackling global environmental challenges require concerted efforts — Global Environment Facility

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has called for a concerted effort to address the global environmental challenges that confront the planet.

Through concerted and collaborative efforts, there will be more effective and efficient ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and protect our planet for future generations.

The Africa Regional Coordinator of the GEF, Jonky Tenou, opening a two-day capacity building workshop in Accra last Thursday, said African nations must unite with a common goal to address biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change.

“Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and unsustainable resource use are challenges that require urgent action,” he said.

Global Environment Facility (GEF) is an international funding mechanism established in 1991 to address global environmental issues.

It provides funding and support for projects aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development.

In all, 14 Operational Focal Points (OFPs) from across West Africa participated in the workshop aimed at enhancing governance, oversight and strategic management of its country-driven environmental projects.

The training is part of the GEF's broader strategy to ensure greater impact, transparency and accountability in the implementation of projects across its partner countries.

The event, which brought together environmental leaders, policymakers and project managers, was also geared towards fostering stronger collaboration and learning among African nations in the effective utilisation of GEF resources.

It was organised in partnership with the Tropical Biology Association.

Mr Tenou explained that the workshop sought to strengthen OFP understanding of their roles and responsibilities, including opportunities to enhance impact through their GEF portfolios.

In addition to that, he said it would also help build OFP capacity to review and oversee their portfolio of GEF-funded projects throughout the project cycle, from design to implementation, and enhance OFP ability to efficiently use the resources for project oversight activities to be provided post-training.

The Director of Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Peter Justice Derry, described GEF as the oldest and well-tested financing mechanism in environmental governance.

In spite of all the support, in recent times, he said GEF had been on the radar because all countries were calling for financing mechanisms while looking at the best way countries get their due share and enough access to meet targets.

The workshop, he said, would influence the policies and actions needed to achieve environmental sustainability in the region.

He emphasised the importance of collective action of all stakeholders to ensure GEF decision-making reflects national and regional priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals, climate targets and aspirations under the African Union's Agenda 2063.