UAE Commits USD 30 Million To Enhance Ghana's Biodiversity And Climate Initiatives

The United Arab Emirates and Ghana have unveiled a US$30 million collaboration focusing on nature-based community development and climate solutions. This partnership outlines initial investment areas aimed at addressing climate challenges. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, UAE's Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, and Samuel A. Jinapor, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, formalised this agreement.

In the presence of Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, and Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, a letter of intent was signed. The framework document identifies six investment areas such as biodiversity corridors, reforestation, and agroecology. These initiatives aim to deliver benefits across climate, biodiversity, and community development while focusing on gender equality and youth empowerment.

This initiative is part of Ghana’s Resilient Ghana nature-climate strategy. It includes metrics for measurement, reporting, and verification using Ghana’s pioneering REDD+ process. Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi remarked that the partnership underscores the UAE's commitment to global biodiversity goals. She stated that it highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity while supporting local communities through afforestation efforts.

Samuel A. Jinapor emphasised that addressing deforestation requires significant human and financial resources. He noted that despite receiving carbon payments, Ghana faces implementation gaps needing additional financial instruments to enhance emission reductions. "This is what our partnership with the UAE represents," he said.

The UAE-Ghana collaboration aims to provide critical support for livelihoods enhancement and ecosystem protection. Jinapor expressed gratitude to the UAE government for their commitment to generating value for forests, climate, and people towards achieving a 1.5 degrees Celsius world.

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak highlighted that COP28 set a new standard for coordinating action on nature and climate by anchoring investments in plans developed by nature-rich countries themselves. "The UAE-Ghana partnership is a great example of the approach that will help to keep the target of 1.5 degrees within reach," she said.

Future Plans

The UAE Consensus signed at COP28 saw governments adopting a goal to halt deforestation by 2030 while aligning strategies with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The UAE mobilised over $2 billion for nature-climate projects including investments in Ghana's Resilient Ghana strategy.

Both nations are part of the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership which coordinates public-private investments in these areas. Initial projects under this bilateral partnership will be detailed at COP29 in Baku in November and further at COP30 next year.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to sustainable development goals while protecting biodiversity through strategic investments in nature-based solutions.

With inputs from WAM