Kathmandu, Dec. 11
Development partners working in Nepal have agreed on a joint
initiative to support the country on green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
They announced a joint statement of support on Friday for
Nepal’s Relief, Recovery and Resilience Plan to enable
a green, resilient and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The green recovery approach recognises the need for investment
to protect lives and secure jobs and livelihoods as an immediate priority, and the
need to build resilience, further strengthen inclusion, equity, and enhance
sustainability in the longer term, the World Bank said in a statement.
“The Government of Nepal welcomes this joint development partner approach
to support green recovery from the COVID -19 pandemic that is well aligned with
Nepal’s 15th development plan,” stated Radha Wagle, Joint Secretary at the
Ministry of Forests and Environment.
“It is also very timely as the Prime Minister of Nepal will be announcing
Nepal’s climate ambition at the Global COP 26 Ambition Summit,” she added.
The government and development partners have agreed to work together on a joint
green recovery package which could total an estimated $7.4 billion, and includes
both grant and loan support for the initial response to COVID-19, and already
approved, pipeline and forthcoming projects that support green recovery.
The development partners will support in five key areas, including health
care and vaccine access, livelihood support, restructuring projects, and green
recovery.
Up to $840 million will be directed to immediate
COVID-19 needs including direct health care and vaccine access, and support for
livelihoods and vulnerable groups.
Likewise, up to $4.2 billion from
restructuring existing and confirmed projects and up to $2.4 billion for new
and pipeline projects for supporting green recovery in nature based solutions
for growth and job creation in agriculture, forestry and biodiversity and water
management, and tackling the impacts of climate change in the Himalayas.
The $2.4 billion will also be shared to
green and resilient infrastructure, urban development, protect human health,
increasing resilience future shocks and stimulating private sector recovery,
and increasing green investment and job creation.
Likewise, German Ambassador to Nepal Roland Schafer
said that the development partners were ready to support local, provincial and
federal governments to stimulate a green recovery that benefits all.
The development partners associating themselves with
the joint statement include ADB, EU, Finland, France, Germany, INGOs, JICA,
KOICA, Norway SDC, UK, UN, USAID, and the World Bank.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 12 December 2020.
No comments:
Post a Comment