GEF Supports FAO-led Projects in Nigeria, Others with $18m

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) to approve three FAO-led projects in five countries, totalling $18 million in funding.

The three new projects in Nigeria, Venezuela and a regional initiative encompassing Malawi, Mozambique, and Uganda will improve the management of protected areas, protect biodiversity in lowland forests, and build water security and resilience. 

Commending the programme, FAO Deputy Director-General, Maria Helena Semedo, said, “The approval of these three projects strengthens our ability to help countries move on a path of sustainability that leaves no one behind.  Resilient and productive land and aquatic ecosystems are the foundation of sustainable agri-food systems transformation.”

In a statement issued by the UN’s body, FAO said, “The biodiversity conservation project in Venezuela will address key barriers to the sustainable use of biodiversity in order to support the effective management of five existing Protected Areas in the Caroni River Basin in the Guiana Massif, one of the most pristine and biodiverse areas on the planet.

“The regional project across Malawi, Mozambique, and Uganda will bring the sustainable management of groundwater to the forefront of water security for resilient livelihoods, ecosystems, and investments in Africa. It supports the African Ministers’ Council on Water through their Pan-African Groundwater Program.

“The project in Nigeria will improve the conservation, sustainable use, and restoration of a lowland forest landscape to protect globally significant biodiversity and strengthen the sustainable livelihoods of local communities. The project will improve the management of a heavily threatened, 1-million-hectare landscape encompassing 12 forest reserves and the Okomu national park. One of the aims is to replicate successes across the full Nigerian lowland forests eco-region.”

The three projects, approved at the 62nd Council Meeting of the GEF, held in McLean, Virginia, United States of America, will improve management for conservation and the sustainable use of over 8.3 million hectares of protected areas, bring 10 000 hectares of land under improved management, and restore another 24 000 hectares of forest and natural grasslands.