In an effort to combat the climate crisis worldwide, the United Arab Emirates has united with Ghana to commit $30 million to biodiversity projects, reforestation, and agroecology. This joint initiative was announced on 29 September 2024, through which both governments sought to further nature-based solutions toward stopping climate change while simultaneously empowering local communities, promoting gender equality, and improving the involvement of the youth.
A Strategic Partnership for Nature and Climate
This was upon the signing of the LoI by Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Daheri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and His Excellency Samuel Abu Jinabor, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. Signing was attended by Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change Champion for COP28 and President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, besides several high-ranking officials from the two countries.
The deal outlines the UAE’s growing commitment to global sustainability initiatives, especially in countries boasting rich biodiversity hotspots like Ghana. In return, it will invest in six areas of activities: protection of biodiversity, reforestation, agroecology, carbon offset initiatives, community development, and climate resilience. Each of these activities will play its role in Ghana’s continuing climate adaptation and mitigation process under its “Resilient Plan.”
Ghana Leads the Way in Climate and Nature Conservation
Ghana has always taken the lead in different initiatives aimed at halting deforestation and ensuring land use feasibility. The country had implemented the REDD+ initiative, able to reach its goals through conservational and restoration means involving emissions reduction. With very strong policies for the same and an approach committed to sustainability, Ghana was a natural fit for this partnership with the UAE.
His Excellency Samuel Abu Jinabor spoke to the importance of the partnership, noting that even as Ghana has enjoyed great success with carbon offset programs, critical gaps in implementation remain that call for added resources. “Our partnership with UAE fills those gaps and mobilises the financial and human resources needed to make progress in leaps and bounds,” said Jinabor. He added that Ghana is determined to meet its targets on climate change and ensure that the global goal of keeping the temperature increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius is realized.
Commitment to Global Climate Goals by UAE
The UAE sees this partnership as part of its much broader commitment to taking climate action and protecting biodiversity. Her Excellency Dr. Amna Al Daheri said, “Our cooperation with Ghana reiterates the UAE’s commitment toward global biodiversity conservation and climate action. We are committed to making sure that the UAE meets its goal to stop deforestation by 2030, and that investment is a crucial means to do so.”
The UAE has, however, been in the lead in front of the world through innovative policies and serious financial interventions in climate change. The UAE will make an even more solid claim to its leadership at COP later this year, as it calls for climate action by way of investment, along with a strategic partnership with nature-rich countries like Ghana.
Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change Champion for COP28 said, “The partnership between the UAE and Ghana is the first of its kind to establish how nature-based solutions can be aligned with global climate strategies in a manner that means we will reach our development goals at the same time as protecting biodiversity.”
Investment in Local Communities
The most striking feature of this partnership, however, is community development, with the promise of investments in activities related to agroecology, reforestation, and biodiversity. This UAE-Ghana collaboration would help in longer-term development for the local communities-most importantly for women and youth-including gender and youth in the core agreement evidences a holistic approach toward climate solutions, beyond environmental benefits.
This investment is harnessed, among other priority areas, for agroecology that would ensure ecosystem-friendly agriculture; hence, providing livelihoods to the local farmers. Degraded land will be restored through reforestation, which, in turn, will enhance carbon sequestration and will offer jobs for communities around forest-rich areas.
Our investments in Ghana will add to global climate efforts while creating lasting positive impacts within the local communities,” commented Dr. Al Dhaheri. “In addition, by protecting and expanding forested areas through initiatives, we support the livelihoods and community engagement for the long term. We will continue to remain committed to sustainability through the realization of all the identified initiatives.”
COP28 and Beyond
During the next several years, the UAE-Ghana partnership will continue to develop form. However, some aspects of these joint projects are expected to be discussed at COP28. This annual climate summit will take place in Dubai this year, hosted by the UAE, showcasing the work of both nations and calling other countries to implement similar initiatives.
His Excellency Samuel Abu Jinabor expressed his gratitude to the UAE for its commitment to addressing the critical challenges that were posed by deforestation and climate change. “We are grateful to the UAE government for their continuing support, and commit to making good use of this important opportunity to safeguard our forests, climate, and communities,” said Jinabor.
The two countries are also part of the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership-a new global mechanism coordinating public and private investment in forest and climate protection-with an expected big role in implementing the UAE Agreement from COP28, where governments committed to ending deforestation by 2030.
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Going into COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2025, and into COP30 the following year, the UAE and Ghana will be looking to continue their cooperation into an expansion of their efforts in nature-based climate solutions. These accord with urgent actions that are required in the protection and restoration of ecosystems under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The UAE’s $30-million investment in Ghana’s biodiversity and climate resilience programs is a poignant moment in the global fight against climate change. This partnership, emphasizing nature-based solutions, reforestation, and agroecology, addresses environmental challenges while unlocking new opportunities at the local level. As both countries go into forthcoming climate summits, it is expected that their joint efforts will inspire further action in saving the future of the planet.
