Songdo/Rome - In a landmark decision, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved funding for two transformative projects valued at 134 million, to support adaptation and enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable agricultural communities in Somalia and Iraq. These initiatives, spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will empower millions of farmers and pastoralists to adapt to the escalating impacts of climate change, including droughts, floods, and water scarcity.

"FAO is very proud to have been selected by Somalia and Iraq to support them in their first single-country climate change investments. These two projects exemplify FAO's commitment to climate action through transforming their agriculture, especially by building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems in vulnerable and fragile contexts," said Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the FAO Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, welcoming the news.

"By empowering vulnerable communities with the knowledge, tools, and technologies needed to adapt, we are investing in agrifood solutions that bring food security, support livelihoods, and help countries confront climate change."

The new announcements were made today during the fortieth meeting of the GCF Board held in Songdo, Incheon, Republic of Korea from 21–24 October.

Ugbaad: Building a climate-resilient agricultural sector in Somalia

Somalia faces a complex web of challenges, including poverty and conflict. These challenges are exacerbated by climate change, especially the increasingly frequent extreme weather events like droughts and floods which threaten the country's already fragile food security. To address this, FAO and the Somali government launched "Ugbaad" (meaning "hope" in Somali), a seven-year, $95 million project focused on building climate resilience in the agricultural sector. This landmark initiative marks the largest GCF climate investment led by FAO.

“Climate change is a matter of survival for Somalia," said Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. "The Climate Resilient Agriculture project, backed by the Green Climate Fund, will help over two million people restore our land, improve food security, and build resilience against the severe climate impacts we face today.”

Ugbaad aims to enhance the resilience of Somalia's rural communities and ecosystems by promoting sustainable land management practices, improving access to water, introducing climate-resilient agricultural techniques and developing value chains. The project will restore over 50,000 hectares of degraded land, train 86,000 farmers and pastoralists in climate-smart agriculture, and rehabilitate vital infrastructure like irrigation canals and rural roads. By strengthening value chains for key agricultural products and improving access to climate information services, Ugbaad will empower communities to better cope with climate shocks and enhance their livelihoods.

With a focus on food security, the project will directly benefit 1.2 million people, with an additional 973,000 indirectly benefiting. By improving access to water and promoting sustainable farming practices, Ugbaad aims to increase food production and reduce reliance on food imports and aid. The project also recognizes the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment, with women comprising 50 percent of the beneficiaries.

Beyond its immediate impact on climate resilient agricultural practices, Ugbaad is designed to foster long-term sustainability and peacebuilding in Somalia. By strengthening governance structures, improving climate information systems, and promoting community participation, the project will contribute to a more stable and resilient society. The knowledge and experience gained through Ugbaad can also serve as a valuable model for other fragile countries facing similar climate challenges.

^{A farmer spreads wheat seeds for the winter season in Iraq}

Bringing water and life to Iraq's drylands

In Iraq, a country grappling with rising temperatures and dwindling water resources amid the rebuilding of political stability, the "Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agriculture Livelihoods in Iraq’s Rural Communities" (SRVALI) project will receive a $29.25 million grant from the GCF, with a total project worth of $38.95 million ($9.7 million in co-financing). This six-year FAO-led project will focus on enhancing water-use efficiency, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and empowering women to become agents of change in their communities.

The SRVALI project aims to combat the increasing water and food security challenges caused by climate change in Iraq, focusing on three governorates: Karbala, Muthanna, and Najaf. These areas are particularly vulnerable due to their arid climate, limited arable land, and reliance on agriculture.

“We are very pleased to implement this project which will enhance the climate resilience of agriculture households in Iraq’s rural communities, and support Iraq’s climate change policy,” said Jasim al Falahi, Ministry of Environment technical deputy minister. “The project will radically transform Iraq’s agriculture sector, making it more climate resilient, equitable and sustainable with more efficient and improved water distribution systems,” he added.

The project will introduce climate-adaptive infrastructure and farming practices to improve water-use efficiency and crop yields. Key activities include upgrading irrigation canals, installing solar panels on farmland, providing training in climate-resilient farming, and empowering women with knowledge of climate adaptation measures.  The project aims to bring over 121,000 hectares of farmland under climate-resilient management.

By enhancing the climate resilience of rural households, the initiative is expected to have a significant impact on food security and livelihoods in Iraq. It will directly benefit 2 million people, half of whom are women, and create employment opportunities for internally displaced persons.

The project also has a broader goal of promoting sustainable development and knowledge transfer.  By working with Iraqi ministries and universities, the project aims to integrate climate-resilient technologies and approaches into agricultural programs and policy planning. This will help to scale up climate adaptation efforts across the country and potentially even replicate successful practices in other countries in the region.

About FAO and the GCF

Since becoming partners in 2016, FAO and the GCF have been scaling up climate investments in high-impact projects that make the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors more efficient, inclusive, sustainable and resilient to climate change.

By leveraging global partnerships, FAO catalyzes public and private investments in agriculture that promote innovative climate change adaptation and mitigation actions and drive the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in line with the FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022-2031.

The GCF – a critical element of the historic Paris Agreement – is the world’s largest climate fund, mandated to support developing countries to raise and achieve the ambition of their national climate plans known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

With the newly approved grants, the GCF portfolio that FAO has supported countries to access exceeds $1.3 billion. FAO

Commonwealth leaders are being urged to work harder to get rid of the barriers and biases that continue to hold back women and girls in the 56 member countries. 

This urgent appeal comes from a report that represents the voices of more than 400 delegates, including prime ministers, ministers, women's rights advocates and business leaders, who attended the Commonwealth Women's Forum in Apia, Samoa, from 21 to 22 October 2024. 

The report will be presented to Commonwealth leaders this week to urge stronger action on transforming the status of women in government, business and society. 

A recent United Nations study reveals that, while gender equality is achievable, the progress remains alarmingly slow. At the current rate, it could take 137 years to lift all women out of poverty and gender parity in parliaments will not be reached until 2063. 

In their report to leaders, delegates responded with calls for greater protection from gender-based violence, policies to get more women into leadership, increased economic opportunities, and investment in women-led climate solutions. 

A central theme in the report is the need for bespoke policies that address overlapping forms of discrimination, including disability, age and identity, to ensure all women and girls can live with dignity and safety. 

Speaking at the closing session of the Women's Forum, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Dr Arjoon Suddhoo acknowledged the slow progress. 

He said: "None of the Sustainable Development Goal 5 targets for gender equality and women's empowerment are on track. This must change now. There can be no more delays. 

"The recommendations you made together will guide our 56 Commonwealth countries in taking bold action to make 2030 the expiry date for gender inequality." 

Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, South Africa's Deputy Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, delivered a powerful message at the forum. 

"Humanity is at war with its women, girls and other vulnerable groups. This cannot be accepted as normal," she said. 

As a survivor of gender-based violence, Letsike called for sweeping changes, not just in laws and policies, but also in hearts and minds. "We must collectively wage a war against gender-based violence," she concluded. 

Siliniu Lina Chang, President of the Samoa Victim Support Group, echoed the urgency of action by sharing the haunting last words of a femicide victim who said, "Let it [abuse] end with me." 

Drawing on her two decades of work with victims of violence, she called for practical solutions, such as trained medical staff, victim liaison officers, and safer court environments, to ensure women in need are better supported. 

Tuvaluan Prime Minister Hon Feleti Penitala Teo drew attention to the need to engage men and boys in the fight for gender equality. 

"Men must be part of the conversation, not just as advocates but as active participants in dismantling the barriers faced by women. This is how we build a society that benefits everyone," he said. 

Joleen Mataele, Vice-Chair of the Commonwealth Equality Network, spoke about the power of education in tackling exclusion. 

"When climate disasters hit, evacuation centres often refuse to accept us," she said. "Education is key to raising awareness of the needs of marginalised people and ensuring those needs are recognised and protected. This is fundamental if we are to truly leave no one behind." 

The Commonwealth Women's Forum was held in Apia in partnership with the Government of Samoa.