Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade RGOB
Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs led a Bhutanese delegation to the Sixth GEF Assembly held in Da Nang, Viet Nam, from June 27-29, 2018. GEF is an international partnership of 183 countries and 18 agencies along with civil society organizations and the private sectors that addresses global environment issues.
In his address at the GEF Assembly, Lyonpo Damcho Dorji highlighted the worsening situation faced globally on account of climate change and the need for bold global solutions. He said that the next 25 years is going to be crucial for the global community and there is an urgent need to recognize that the world is at a tipping point.
Lyonpo Damcho Dorji called on donor agencies to give particular attention to transitioning countries such as Bhutan, especially in view of declining level of development assistance, while several traditional and emerging challenges including those originating from climate change remained to be addressed.
GEF meets every four years at the Ministerial level to review general policies and agree on a roadmap for the next four years (GEF 7 Cycle) including allocation of resources for the beneficiary countries. During the GEF Constituency Meeting which preceded the Assembly, it was agreed that a minimum of US$ 6 million will be allocated to Bhutan for the GEF 7 Cycle to fund projects which will address climate change, biodiversity conservation and land degradation. GEF 7 Cycle will start from 1st July 2018.
On the side-lines of the GEF Assembly, Lyonpo Damcho Dorji officially launched a set of Bhutanese Stamps to mark the 25th Anniversary of the GEF Small Grant Programme.
