The EU and the UNDP reaffirm their joint efforts to increase resilience against climate change impacts in Suriname

22.07.2020
Suriname

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reaffirm their joint efforts to increase resilience against climate change impacts in Suriname with the signing of the second phase of Global Climate Change Alliance project (GCCA+).

The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme are on track to continue their collaboration on joint climate change adaptation actions to support Suriname’s resilience against the effects of climate change, with a total grant budget of 5,500,000 EURO.

People working in the river

The overall objective of the “Global Climate Change Alliance+ (GCCA) support for Climate Change Adaptation in Suriname – Phase 2” is to build climate change resilience through integrated water resource management, sustainable use of mangroves and coastal ecosystems management.

According to Ambassador Fernando Ponz Cantó, who heads the EU Delegation for Suriname, “The GCCA+ phase 2 will support Suriname in adapting to the main effects of climate change by improving management of water resources and coastal ecosystems in ways that increase the well-being of coastal communities.” “This contribution is a token of solidarity of the European people, and recognition of the very difficult challenges Suriname faces. Hopefully this support will enable people and businesses to be more resilient, and contribute to the global fight against climate change”, he added.

Dr Margaret Jones Williams, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP during the Validation Workshop for GCCA+ stated that, “In relation to climate change, Suriname belongs to a group of countries that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and therefore a priority partner for the GCCA+ programme”.  Dr Jones Williams also noted that “Climate response in Suriname is an important aspect of Suriname’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in building resilience of the country and ensuring that we leave no one behind”.

Through the project, more than 90 percent of the Surinamese population will benefit from research in mangrove areas, improvements in water governance and improved management of coastal zones as well as gender responsive climate actions to reduce disaster risks and increase capacity to respond to climate emergencies in the North-West coastal districts of Nickerie and Coronie. Climate change adaptation efforts will also create innovative livelihood opportunities for communities in these districts.

The project will contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by Suriname, specifically SDG 13 on Climate Action, SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 15 on Life on Land, SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities. The project is also aligned with SDG 5 on Gender Equality and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. It is also aligned with and supports the realization of the Nationally Determined Contributions of Suriname to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Suriname National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2019 as a central building block.

The agreement between the EU and UNDP is signed for a total amount of 5,500,000 EURO primarly funded by the EU, with a 500,000 EURO contribution from UNDP with a duration of 3.5 years. The implementation phase already began on 1st April 2020.