Green Climate Fund

The GCF approved a $35m funding proposal for the Nauru port at its final board meeting of the year in early October in Egypt, one of eleven climate finance initiatives the board approved in different parts of the world.

The Fund’s primary function is to help developing countries such as Nauru respond to climate change.

“One of the keys to our success was the assistance of Australia, who even asked its high commissioner to the UK Alexander Downer to lobby diligently on Nauru’s behalf,” said Minister for Finance David Adeang.

 At its 18th board meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo, the GCF, an international funding organization, approved the AUD$35m (US$26.9m) port project to help Nauru counter the effects of climate change.

 The project will see the Nauru Government partner with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to give the port a much-needed upgrade.

 “We are extremely grateful for the tireless efforts of the ADB and for support from the GCF board to get this port proposal approved,” said Minister for Finance David Adeang.

The announcement further improves opportunities for cooperation between the Pacific region and the GCF. Late last year Fiji’s Urban Water Supply and Wastewater Management Project was one of the first eight from around the world to be approved for funding, and earlier this week Cook Islands became the first Pacific country and Small Island Developing State to receive a readiness support grant from the GCF.

Opposition Labour party member Su'a William Sio made the comments after the Cook Islands became the first in the Pacific to get money through the GCF.

The money is intended to help vulnerable nations adapt to climate change.