Global Environment Facility (GEF) workshop marked a significant step forward in strengthening environmental initiatives across Southern Africa. Picture: Biju BORO / AFP)
The conclusion of the pivotal four-day Global Environment Facility (GEF) workshop marked a significant step forward in strengthening environmental initiatives across Southern Africa.
The gathering, which included government officials, international agencies, multilateral environmental agreements, GEF implementing agencies, and civil society organizations from 10 countries, allowed participants to strategise on how to achieve lasting benefits for both people and the planet.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh delivered the opening remarks, emphasising the urgency of coordinated global and regional efforts.
“Our environment faces unprecedented challenges, and it is only through collective action, shared knowledge and strategic partnerships that we can turn the tide against biodiversity loss, climate change and environmental degradation,” he said.
Singh’s remarks highlighted the need for collaboration to address the region's environmental challenges.
The workshop was an opportunity to focus on leveraging resources for greater impact. Lebogang Seperepere, acting group executive for Project Preparation at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), emphasized the role of partnerships in delivering sustainable change.
“The DBSA is committed to working with global partners like the GEF to address the twin challenges of environmental degradation and climate change.
“By leveraging our expertise in financing and infrastructure development, we can ensure that projects not only protect our planet but also uplift our communities.
“This workshop is an important step in fostering collaboration and delivering transformative change across Southern Africa,” she said.
One of the key outcomes of the seminar was the reaffirmation of the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) financial commitment to the region.
The GEF has allocated $177 million for environmental projects in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe for the 2022-2026 period.
The environmental funding for South Africa alone during this period is $49.1 million, the largest allocation in the Southern Africa region.
This financial support is part of a broader GEF strategy that includes 123 active projects in these 10 countries, totaling $553 million in commitments and over $3 billion in co-financing, with 90 percent of these resources directed toward biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.
Dr. Fred Boltz, Manager of the Programming Division at the GEF, spoke about the role of the workshop in maximizing the impact of these resources.
“This workshop is a unique opportunity to strategically plan how to maximize our resources for greater impact by strengthening our partnership with GEF recipient countries, GEF implementing agencies and civil society organizations in the region.
“The GEF's funding and projects in Africa address critical needs such as building more resilient food systems, restoring degraded lands, developing greener cities and infrastructure systems, managing chemicals and waste, and conserving vital ecosystems and biodiversity,” he explained.
As the GEF prepares for the upcoming GEF 9 replenishment negotiations, Shahkira Parker, the GEF Operational Focal Point for South Africa, emphasized the importance of the workshop in setting the agenda for future collaboration.
She noted that it offered a valuable platform for the region to raise key issues with the GEF leadership and further enhance their partnership.
In addition to the discussions, participants had the opportunity to visit the project “Building a resilient and resource-efficient Johannesburg: increased access to urban services and improved quality of life.”
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za
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