Tehran – The Department of Environment (DOE), acting as the National Designated Authority (NDA), has joined forces with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to launch a groundbreaking initiative aimed at strengthening Iran's resilience to climate change.

The newly signed project, titled "Strengthening Iran's Access to GCF with National Ownership, Knowledge-Based Policies and Sound Technologies," marks a significant step towards aligning national strategies with global climate action and promoting sustainable development.

Iran, like many countries, faces the challenges posed by climate change, including intensifying droughts and devastating floods that exacerbate water scarcity, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, food production, and the economy. In response, Iran's National Strategic Action Plan on Climate Change 2017 outlines a comprehensive roadmap for climate adaptation and mitigation, contingent upon securing financial and technical support under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The project's inception workshop, held on August 19, brought together key stakeholders from the government, private sector, and NGOs to officially launch this crucial initiative and set the stage for collaborative efforts towards achieving climate resilience.

This transformative partnership between the Islamic Republic of Iran, GCF, and FAO seeks to fortify the country's resilience to climate change through a multifaceted approach. By fostering closer coordination with GCF and other climate finance institutions, establishing direct access to GCF resources, and integrating climate change considerations into development planning, the project aims to promote strategic climate investment.

Additionally, by facilitating access to advanced climate-resilient technologies and engaging both targeted sectors and the private sector in climate action initiatives, Iran seeks to develop a robust pipeline of climate projects aligned with national priorities and GCF standards.

Anticipated outcomes include enhanced national coordination mechanisms, the development of a strategy for direct access to the GCF, an updated GCF Country Program, and the establishment of a comprehensive National Climate Change Knowledge Hub (NCCKH).

The NCCKH will serve as a vital resource for disseminating technical knowledge and raising public awareness, ultimately contributing to enhanced national resilience and sustainable development.