August 8-11, 2022, the UNFCCC in collaboration with UNESCAP under the auspices of the Needs-based Finance Project hosted a training on “Climate Finance mobilization and access to Least Developed Countries in Asia”. Governments of Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal and Timor-Leste were gathered with experts from Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Adaptation Fund and Global Environment Facility (GEF), GGGI in Bangkok, Thailand, with the aim to develop skills and knowledge for mobilizing resources for priority adaptation and mitigation initiatives to Asian LDCs. In addition, the Government representatives also provided significant inputs to the Regional Climate Finance Strategy for Asia LDCs.

GGGI was invited to support the training and share experience from work with LDC Member and Partner countries on readiness and preparation of proposals for funding by climate finance institutions. GGGI was represented by Deputy Director and Head of Climate Action and Inclusive Development, Ingvild Solvang, and GGGI Lao DPR Senior Program Assistant, Angkhanhack Keomanivong. Throughout the workshop, GGGI shared its experience working with Member and Partner countries on finance mobilization including on GCF Readiness to NDAs and other regional and national stakeholders, and project proposal development. GGGI also presented on its work to integrate gender and social inclusion in climate action and management of social and environmental safeguards.

Without having contributed to climate change, LDCs are at the forefront of the crisis and in need of urgent climate actions. At the same time, they are dealing with multiple barriers to finance mobilization, also finance from climate finance institutions. Strengthening the leadership of LDC governments in driving climate finance opportunities is a part of addressing the barriers. The training focused on the development of strong climate rationale, leverage of private sector finance and realization of bankable projects ats scale while meeting safeguard and gender equality requirements in climate projects.