The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), an accredited entity for two key financial instruments of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) — the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund (AF) — officially launched the GCF Readiness Support Project on Tuesday in a formal program. This marks a significant milestone in enhancing Nepal’s access to climate finance and strengthening institutional capacity. The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with key stakeholders, aims to improve organizational efficiency and human resource capacity for effectively managing GCF pipeline projects while adopting a structured and strategic approach to accessing and utilizing GCF resources.
The program was formally inaugurated by Hon’ble Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Minister for Forests and Environment & Chairperson of NTNC, who reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to strengthening its engagement with the GCF and advancing impactful climate action. Dr. Deepak Kumar Kharal, Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE), delivered special remarks, extending his best wishes for the project’s successful execution. Dr. Naresh Subedi, Member Secretary of NTNC, chaired the event, expressing gratitude to all participants and reinforcing NTNC’s dedication to climate resilience and sustainable development.
Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, Chief of the Climate Change Management Division at MoFE, emphasized the importance of stakeholder coordination and capacity building, while Mr. Om Prakash Bhattarai, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, highlighted the critical need for institutional readiness in securing and implementing GCF projects. The event commenced with a project briefing by Dr. Manish Raj Pandey, Head of the Climate Change Department at NTNC, who outlined the project's objectives and expected outcomes. The program was moderated by Ms. Lina Chalise, Senior Climate Change Officer at NTNC and was attended by accredited entities and key government and non-government stakeholders.
This initiative represents a crucial step in ensuring the effective implementation of GCF-funded Readiness Support projects, enhancing institutional capacity, and fostering a climate-resilient future for Nepal.
