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QFFD and GGGI sign an agreement to support climate resilience and sustainable development in SIDS and LDCs

October 22, 2020, Doha, State of Qatar / Seoul, Republic of Korea – On October 22, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to support Small Island Development States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) achieve climate resilience and green growth in line with UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Agreement.

The two entities will collaborate on country projects, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy activities, and would seek to strengthen the link between humanitarian assistance and climate action support to developing countries. Due to COVID19 health and safety protocols, the signing ceremony was held virtually, with in-person presence of dignitaries at QFFD headquarters and Qatar Ministry of Municipality and Environment in Doha, and the GGGI headquarters in Seoul.

In the presence of the His Excellency President and Chair of GGGI’s Assembly and Council and the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and His Excellency Minister of Municipality and Environment of the State of Qatar, Engr. Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie,  the agreement was signed by His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari Director General of QFFD and Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Director-General of GGGI.

In his speech, His Excellency Mr. Ban said “the agreement and contribution demonstrate the strong commitment of Qatar, a founding member of GGGI, to support sustainable development in the SIDSs and LDCs that are currently tackling the double challenge of climate change and COVID-19 impacts. Qatar’s leadership and support are particularly commendable at a time when these countries are looking for urgent support and resources to build back their economies and enhance preparedness from further climate change impacts”.

His Excellency Director-General Al-Kuwari reiterated Qatar’s commitment and highlighted that “In 2019 UN General Assembly, His Highness the Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani pledged Qatar’s generous support to help SIDS and LDCs tackle climate change impacts and pursue sustainable development. To realize this, QFFD will continue to play an active role by working closely with the international community and partners like GGGI. Cooperation with GGGI will play an important role in realizing Qatar’s support towards sustainable development and COVID19 recovery that reaches vulnerable communities in developing countries”.

Congratulating GGGI and QFFD, His Excellency Minister Al-Subaie said, “Under the rationale leadership of the High Highness the Amir of Qatar, many projects and initiatives are also being implemented in Qatar to maintain environmental balance in light of the country’s unprecedented economic growth and human development in the past decades. Environmental Development is a key pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030) and the cooperation will directly contribute towards international cooperation goals of QNV2030”.

In his remarks, GGGI’s Director-General Dr. Rijsberman thanked the State of Qatar and QFFD for their strong and continued support to GGGI’s mandate and stated, “Now that the climate crisis coincides with global disruption caused by the COVID19 pandemic, international cooperation and development is more important than ever. We are excited to strengthen our partnership with the State of Qatar on projects that will create green jobs, climate resilience, and food security and that will deliver long term prosperity for citizens in SIDS and LDCs”.

GGGI’s Qatar Country Representative Dr. Pranab Baruah thanked colleagues at QFFD and said “On behalf of GGGI colleagues, I convey sincere thanks for the prompt guidance and support provided by our QFFD colleagues during formulation of the cooperation and the projects, and looking to work closely going forward as well“.

About Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD):

QFFD is a public development institution committed, on behalf of the State of Qatar, to implement external aid projects under Law No. 19 of 2002 and its amendments. It has provided aid to several countries around the world to achieve the international cooperation goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030. The Qatar Fund for Development’s main goal is to achieve inclusive and sustainable development, by addressing priority issues of education, health, and economic empowerment.

https://qatarfund.org.qa/en/

About Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI):

GGGI is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization that supports emerging and developing country governments in pursuing a climate resilient green growth to achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. Currently, 38 countries and regional integration organization are members of GGGI that have ratified GGGI’s Establishment Agreement. The State of Qatar is a founding member of GGGI and currently serves in its Council, executive organ of GGGI presided by His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon.

https://gggi.org/