United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have launched the new USD 135 million Blue and Green Islands Integrated Program (BGI-IP).
According to UNDP, the program aims to promote natural solutions to combat environmental destruction in the three sectors of infrastructure development, food production and tourism. It targets 15 small developing countries.
The effort, overseen by UNDP and funded by GEF and partners, is part of a “new wave” of support for small countries in the 2024 to 2034, "Decade of Action."
The program will provide assistance to 15 countries selected from among the interested Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to represent all sub-regions.
It will provide communities with the tools they need to address the challenges faced by the general public.
The program will promote sustainable agriculture, fisheries, environmentally friendly tourism, reduce pollution and help overcome challenges posed by climate change.
The 15 countries chosen out of the interested 39 countries were Belize, Cape Verde, Comoros, Cuba, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Timor Leste, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu.
UNDP says the program, which is being implemented in partnership with UNEP, FAO, World Bank, WWF-US, IUCN and UNCCD, is an important means of supporting sustainable economic diversification and job creation.
