The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat and the East African Development Bank (EADB) have signed a partnership agreement to establish a regional collaboration centre in Kampala, Uganda, in an effort to increase participation in clean development mechanism (CDM) projects.
The partnership agreement was signed by UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres, and the Director General of EADB, Vivienne Yeda, a statement released Wednesday by the UNFCCC secretariat stated.
This is the second regional collaboration centre established by the UNFCCC and a regional development bank in Africa with the aim of bringing the benefits of the CDM to under-represented regions.
The first centre, which was established a few months ago in Lomé, Togo, in collaboration with West African Development Bank (WADB), provides assistance in the development of CDM projects in Francophone Africa.
“The two regional collaboration centres in Lomé and Kampala are designed to help Africa increase its attractiveness and potential for CDM. Our goal is to build capacity, reduce the risk for investors in such projects and help make the continent an increasingly attractive destination for CDM projects,” UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres said.
According to UNFCCC, the office in Kampala will be operational from 1 May, 2013. Besides hosting the office, the EADB is also expected to provide personnel, as well as administrative and logistical support.
EADB Director General Vivienne Yeda lauded the partnership between the two organizations, saying it will help bring sustainable development in the region.
“This partnership with UNFCCC is key for us at EADB as we invest in sustainable development and seek to ensure sustainability in all our operations. We hope that the new office will help increase the regional distribution of CDM projects in East Africa where there is an acute need for sustainable development,” said Yeda.
Among the countries that can seek support from the new office are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“There is a great deal of untapped potential for CDM in Africa. The regional collaboration centres aim to tap the potential of carbon offset projects on the continent,” said Peer Stiansen, chair of the CDM Executive Board.
Pana 14/02/2013