KIGALI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Green Climate Fund (GCF), a global climate finance initiative, has approved a grant of 28 million U.S. dollars to support Rwanda's Green City Kigali initiative, a pioneering project aimed at developing climate-resilient and low-emission urban infrastructure.
The grant was announced during the 40th GCF board meeting held in the Republic of Korea (ROK), according to a statement released by Rwanda's Ministry of Environment on Wednesday. The GCF was established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2010 in Incheon, ROK.
According to the statement, the Green City Kigali project addresses the challenges of Rwanda's rapidly urbanizing capital, where about 77 percent of the population lives in unplanned settlements, making the city vulnerable to climate-related risks such as floods and landslides.
"This agreement underscores the strength of our partnership at a critical time when the effects of climate change are increasingly evident. These impacts not only threaten the country's economy but also pose serious risks to the lives of our people," said Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda's minister of environment, in the statement. She added that the project represents a proactive step toward creating a sustainable urban environment and improving the quality of life for all Rwandans.
The project, which is part of a larger 600-hectare urban transformation plan, will focus on building resilient infrastructure, such as stormwater management, water security, renewable energy, and improved waste management systems. It will also establish a technical and vocational education and training center to promote green construction skills and sustainable livelihoods.
"This project not only represents a new model for urban development in Rwanda but has the potential to provide a template for other cities in Africa and around the world to plan resilient and sustainable urban development for a changing climate," said Henry Gonzalez, chief investment officer of the GCF, in the statement.
The project is set to be implemented over the next five years, positioning Kigali as a model of climate-resilient urban development in the region, according to the statement. ■