Tajikistan has secured direct access to the resources of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), enabling the country to independently apply for funding for national climate change adaptation projects without the mandatory involvement of international intermediary organizations.
The development was announced by Sino Tohirzoda, Director of the National Center for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement under the Committee for Environmental Protection of Tajikistan, in comments to Asia-Plus.
The new mechanism will allow Tajikistan to seek grant financing for projects aimed at protecting communities from climate risks, strengthening sustainable infrastructure, supporting agriculture and water management, and improving the resilience of mountain communities.
According to Tohirzoda, the Green Climate Fund is one of the world’s leading financing mechanisms for climate initiatives in developing countries. He noted that the partnership is particularly significant for Tajikistan, which contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions but is already experiencing the severe impacts of climate change.
“For Tajikistan, strengthening cooperation with the Fund is not only about gaining access to financial resources but also about having a practical tool to implement the Paris Agreement and fulfill our national climate commitments,” Tohirzoda said.
In 2024, the Center for the Implementation of Investment Projects under the Committee for Environmental Protection received accreditation from the Green Climate Fund, allowing it to access GCF financing directly.
The Fund currently supports nine climate-related projects and programs in Tajikistan, focusing on renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, disaster risk reduction, assistance to mountain communities, and the modernization of hydrometeorology services.
Also in 2024, the Committee for Environmental Protection approved Tajikistan’s Country Investment Program for cooperation with the Green Climate Fund. The document outlines the country’s priority sectors for climate financing and serves as a roadmap for preparing future projects.
Tohirzoda said additional project proposals are now being developed, with a focus on climate change adaptation, ecosystem conservation, disaster resilience, and strengthening food security.
One of the key regional initiatives is the “From Glaciers to Farms” program, implemented with support from the Green Climate Fund and the Asian Development Bank. The program seeks to improve water resource management, promote sustainable agriculture, and help countries across the region adapt to the accelerating impacts of glacier melt.
The Green Climate Fund provides financial support through grants, concessional loans, guarantees, and co-financing. Its resources are used both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to help countries adapt to the effects of climate change.
Officials say expanded cooperation with the Fund will provide Tajikistan with greater opportunities to attract climate investment, implement innovative environmental solutions, and strengthen the country’s resilience to the growing impacts of climate change.
Source: Asia-Plus (Saifiddin Karaev). Photo: Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan.
