advertorial:

PRESS RELEASE: Sweden to contribute KES 10 billion to climate fund

18 May, 2010

The formal negotiations on contributions to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the period 2010-2014 were concluded last week. At the negotiations in Paris, donors agreed to add USD 4.25 billion to the fund, which is an increase of 52% compared to the last replenishment. Sweden pledged a contribution of over SEK 1 billion (KES 10 billion) to the GEF, encompassing both Sweden's traditional portion and an extra contribution for climate initiatives.

"I am pleased that we have agreed on reforms to make the GEF better at delivering results in recipient countries. We are aware that many developing countries have enormous needs in the area of the environment, and in particular we are seeing increased needs in the area of climate. The agreement we have reached is an important step in tackling this challenge," says Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation Ms Gunilla Carlsson.

In the negotiations, Sweden has consistently pushed to make the GEF more effective and flexible so that initiatives are better able to meet the actual needs of recipient countries. Sweden was successful in this, and the link between GEF initiatives and countries own development plans will now be strengthened.

Background
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was started in 1991 to offer coordinated funding for the new conventions entered into after the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. The GEF currently channels funding for the climate, desertification, biodiversity and Stockholm conventions. The GEF pays the excess costs of making projects in developing countries more environmentally friendly, which contributes to sustainable development, improving poor people's living conditions, a better environment and developing countries prospects of realising their commitments under international environmental conventions. So far it has channelled USD 8.7 billion to over 2 400 environmental projects in more than 165 countries.

For further information:
Linda Widmark, Press Officer, Embassy of Sweden
linda.widmark@foreign.ministry.se ● 020 423 4054 / 0733 331117