The Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), represented by a delegation led by Mr. Khatim Kherraz, Executive Secretary and including Mr. Nabil Ben Khatra, Coordinator of the Environment Program and Ms. Khaoula Jaoui, Expert in Climate Finance and Natural Resources Management, was present at the first Green Climate Fund Global Programming Conference - GCF and actively participated in the plenary and side events as well as bilateral meetings with the development partners (UNCCD, UNOPS, GCF, ...).
The participation of the OSS highlighted the role that the Organization can have in facilitating the access of the countries of the region to the climate finance and the tools to be implemented in order to reach the objectives of the Green Climate Fund. It also addressed the prospects of setting up projects related to the Great Green Wall.
In addition, and in accordance with its areas of accreditation, OSS participated in the sessions on water and ecosystems, which focused on opportunities for cross-sectoral and landscape-based interventions with benefits in terms of mitigation, adaptation, resilience and development. Water resource management, a central element in addressing climate change issues.
On the occasion of this conference, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) expressed a real willingness to participate in the development, in a reaffirmed spirit of partnership. During the meeting between representatives of the OSS and the Director General of the Green Climate Fund, discussions focused on the OSS-GCF relations and on the prospects of strengthening support to accredited countries and entities.
The mission was also an opportunity to make contacts and organize interviews with focal points and representatives of member countries and partners (Tunisia, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, Rwanda, Senegal, etc.), with a view to developing collaborations, to open up new perspectives and develop bankable financing requests.
For the record, OSS is accredited as an implementing entity by the GCF and the Adaptation Fund.