Italy and UN Launch Fellowship for Climate Vulnerable Countries at COP23

By Lydia Kukua Asamoah, GNA's special Correspondent from Bonn, Germany

(Sponsored by GIZ Ghana, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana Chamber of Mines)

Bonn, Germany, Nov 20, GNA-The Government of Italy and UN Climate Change have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a new Fellowship Programme aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of vulnerable countries to help them mitigate climate change impact.

A statement made available to the GNA in Bonn, Germany, said the MoU would also enable the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to respond to the challenges arising from climate change.

The new Programme titled 'Capacity Award Programme to Advance Capabilities and Institutional Training in one Year (CAPACITY) would contribute to developing local professional expertise in the countries that were most vulnerable to climate change by supporting innovative analytical work on climate change in the context of sustainable development.

It would also promote a network of experts who could bring creative and innovative options to bear on questions of climate change as well as encouraging the leadership potential of young and promising professionals in the fields.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony in Bonn Germany where the COP23 was held, Ms Patricia Espinosa, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, said: 'I would like to extend my deep appreciation to the government of Italy for providing support to launch this important fellowship programme.

'It marks an important step forward in our endeavour to ensure widest possible support to SIDS and LDC countries to combat climate change and help them build institutional capacity to build resilience to climate impacts.'

Gian Luca Galletti, the Italian Minister of the Environment, Land and Sea, said: 'The Italian government firmly believes that enhancing the ability of individuals, organizations and institutions in developing countries to identify, plan and implement ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change is crucial to enabling developing countries to pursue our common objectives for sustainable development in a climate-friendly manner.'

The programme is specifically targeted at mid-career professionals in SIDS and LDC countries who are working in a broad range of national, regional, and local governmental organizations, ranging from educational institutions, research institutes and ministries.

Italy has agreed to provide a funding of 2,500,000 euros for the fellowship programme, which would initially be launched for a period for five years.

Annually, up to five one year fellowships would be awarded that could be further extended by one year.

Selected fellows would have the opportunity to gain exposure to a wide range of opportunities available at the UN Climate Change Secretariat in Bonn, Germany.

They would be able to work on projects relating to the Paris Agreement, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), global climate action agenda, finance, legal, regulatory and institutional framework.

GNA