Cairo: The Ministry of Local Development and Environment recently concluded a series of strategic meetings with a delegation from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), led by Catherine Koffman, Africa Regional Director at the GCF in South Korea. This initiative is part of the ministry's responsibilities as Egypt's National Designated Authority (NDA) to the Green Climate Fund.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the meetings saw participation from key figures such as Saber Othman, Head of the Central Department for Climate Change, and Mahitab el Ramal, NDA Focal Point for the GCF. Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad emphasized the importance of the delegation's visit, highlighting the ministry's ongoing efforts to foster climate action and draw international climate investments into Egypt.

Throughout these discussions, Othman engaged with the GCF delegation on the performance of various projects and programs financed by the Fund in Egypt. Key areas of focus included national projects and programs related to agriculture and water sectors. The meetings also addressed the National Readiness Program proposal, priorities for accrediting direct access entities, and outcomes from the latest National Green Climate Fund Committee meeting.

Reaffirming Egypt's commitment to climate action, the GCF delegation held additional meetings with representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Water Resources and Irrigation, and Planning and Economic Development. These discussions focused on the institutional accreditation application to the Fund and updates on the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation's project 'Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation in the North Coast and Nile Delta,' which is supported by a $31.4 million grant from the Fund.

The meetings also explored the development of concept notes and financing documents aligned with the National Climate Investment Plan. The focus was on financing projects in the water and agriculture sectors and exploring cooperation with the Fund to support small, medium, and micro green projects.

Furthermore, the delegation engaged with representatives from 16 national and international banks operating in Egypt, such as Attijariwafa Bank, the first bank in Egypt accredited by the Green Climate Fund, along with the Commercial International Bank (CIB), African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). Discussions revolved around the Fund's business model, climate finance utilization to mitigate project risks, and innovative financing tools to support climate adaptation projects, as well as accrediting new Egyptian banking institutions to the Fund.