Bangkok--30 Mar--German International Cooperation
Germany and Thailand work towards increasing Thailand’s readiness to receive the fund
The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) and GIZ (German International Cooperation) recently held a seminar to introduce the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which is designed to support developing countries in their low emission and adaptation practices as well as in climate resilience. ONEP, as Thailand’s focal point for GCF, is inviting interested agencies to submit their project proposals and is now cooperating with GIZ to fulfil the GCF criteria and increase the readiness of Thailand to receive funds.
Mr. Prasert Sirinapaporn, Director of the Climate Change Management and Coordination Division of ONEP said, “The Green Climate Fund is an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention. Under the UNFCCC, heads of state of developed countries formally committed to jointly mobilize USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to advance the global paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways. To date USD 10.2 billion has been received. This fund is therefore one of the significant financial sources that Thailand can use to support the country’s climate change activities in various ways.
“As Thailand’s focal point for GCF, ONEP is aware of the necessity to promote GCF to the relevant agencies, both in terms of access to the fund and in the setting up of the Implementing Entities. Also crucial is Thailand’s readiness and ONEP is therefore collaborating with GIZ to ensure that the Implementing Entities and project proposals qualify for the fund’s criteria. Agencies and projects interested in requesting for the fund can contact ONEP”, Mr. Prasert added.
Mr. Tim Mahler, Project Director of GIZ Thailand, said, “GIZ has been cooperating with ONEP on the issue of climate change since 2008 and most recently in the readiness phase of the GCF application. Under GIZ’s global programme on Climate Finance Readiness (CF Readiness), GIZ in Thailand will be working with ONEP in organizing activities to 1) strengthening the capacity building of ONEP as the focal point; 2) supporting the setting up of Implementing Entities and approval or registration process and 3) raising awareness of GCF as well as organizing meetings with relevant stakeholders.
With our experience of implementing over 25 projects in more than 10 pilot countries under the CF Readiness programme, GIZ is confident that our expertise and experience will fully benefit Thailand.”