Khaberni - In a step reflecting the accelerated progress in climate action efforts, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) announced that its board has approved the establishment of a new regional office in the capital, Amman. It is one of five new offices around the world, alongside Panama City, Suva, Nairobi, and Abidjan, with the aim of enhancing its regional presence and bringing its services closer to developing countries.
The selection of Jordan marks a significant milestone as it becomes the first Arab country to host a regional office of the fund, thereby enhancing the Kingdom's status as a regional hub for climate action, particularly in the areas of climate change adaptation and natural resource management.
This development comes at a time when the fund continues to finance vital projects in Jordan, the most notable of which is the "Building resilience to climate change by improving water use efficiency in the agricultural sector (BRCCJ)", the fund's first project in the Kingdom, implemented by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the ministries of Water, Irrigation, Agriculture, and Environment, and in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme.
The fund also plays a significant role in supporting major strategic projects, foremost among them the national water carrier project, which is one of the most important national initiatives to enhance water security in Jordan, faced with the increasing challenges linked to water scarcity and climate change.
Artur Cardoso de La Cerda, the secretary of the fund, confirmed that this step represents "a significant milestone in the fund's development journey," indicating that it reflects the strategic orientation to enhance field presence in beneficiary countries and communities. He added that expanding regional outreach will contribute to accelerating project development, enhancing partnerships, and achieving a greater impact on the ground.
On her part, Maysoun Al-Zoubi, the project manager of BRCCJ, stated that hosting the regional office in Amman, which covers Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, is a strategic and historic achievement that will support vital sectors, particularly the agricultural sector.
She pointed out that this step would positively reflect on existing projects, by facilitating access to financing and enhancing technical support, thereby contributing to improving the efficiency of adaptation to climate change challenges, especially in light of the challenges associated with water scarcity and land degradation.
She also noted that the presence of the regional office will help enhance investment opportunities in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, in addition to supporting the involvement of the private sector and youth in developing innovative solutions to climate challenges.
It is expected that the new regional office will accelerate the implementation of climate programs and initiatives in the region, and transform strategic plans into concrete projects that support sustainable development.
