By Government Press Office | BELIZE
BELMOPAN, Belize – The Green Climate Fund (GCF) held its 32nd board of governors meeting at Nelson Dockyard in Antigua and Barbuda. To coincide with the board meeting, a GCF Technical Dialogue for the Caribbean was also held from May 19 to 21, 2022, at the same venue.
Belize was represented by Carlos Pol, Director, and Leroy Martinez, Economist/GCF Focal Point from the Climate Finance Unit (CFU) in the ministry of economic development.
The four-day event brought together National Designated Authorities (NDA), Direct Access Entities (DAE), other funding agencies and GCF stakeholders, to discuss the prioritization of accessing and mobilizing climate finance and technical assistance for transformative projects that will facilitate the transition to a low-carbon and more climate-resilient Caribbean region.
The dialogue is an opportunity for participants to better understand what the GCF acknowledges as “climate rationale” in order to enhance the quality of their projects and programmes. The meeting also examined the various approaches to create a climate rationale and identify the support needed for NDAs and Accredited Entities to include this component in any project or programme. The Technical Dialogue will include 2 ½ days of interactive discussions covering Projects/Programmes, Accreditation and Readiness.
The event also allowed for the CFU representatives to hold bilateral meetings with high-level officials from the GCF, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, Global Environmental Fund, and other NDAs and DAEs to discuss projects in the pipeline and accreditation of national entities such as the Belize Social Investment Fund and the ministry of economic development.
Pol said the event “allows for greater partnership among SIDS and serves as the right platform to present a Caribbean perspective to the GCF on the actual needs of our vulnerable countries. Having key players in one setting allows for better cooperation and collaboration.”
On behalf of Dr Osmond Martinez, chief executive officer in the ministry of economic development and NDA for the GCF, Pol thanked the GCF and the government of Antigua and Barbuda for the invitation and excellent hospitality.
