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On the third and final day of the 48th meeting of the GEF Council, Council Members met in Executive Session to consider the Report of the Selection and Review Committee, and agreed on dates for the next three sessions of the Council: 20-22 October 2015, 7-9 June 2016 and 25-27 October 2016.
Delegates also convened as the 18th meeting of the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) Council. In her opening statement, GEF CEO Ishii noted that LDCF/SCCF projects are reaching US$1.3 billion and are supporting adaptation in 117 countries, including all LDCs and 33 small island developing States (SIDS), and are helping to reduce the vulnerability of more than 14 million people. She reported that the gap between funds available and the demand manifested in project and program submissions continues to grow, with 29 projects worth US$215 million waiting in the pipeline of the LDCF.
Agostinho Tavares, Ambassador of Angola to the US, on behalf of the Chair of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Least Developed Countries Group, said the Group noted “with grave concern” a “chronic lack of resources” in LDCF since 2014, with 29 projects cleared by the Secretariat still awaiting approval. The Group stressed the importance of adequate, sustainable and predictable funding from the LDCF, and sought reassurance from the Council that it will scale up replenishment of the LDCF before the Paris Climate Change Conference. He said the Group envisaged that the LDCF will continue, with enhanced enabling abilities and improved modalities, in a new climate regime beyond 2020. The Council approved the SCCF Work Program, which comprises three project concepts, with total resources as requested in the Work Program amounting to US$15.537 million, including SCCF project financing and Agency fees.
Council Members reviewed and approved Joint Summaries of the Chairs for both the GEF Council meeting and the LDCF/SCCF Council meeting, and CEO Ishii closed the meeting at 12:31 pm.
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