BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 14. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Green Climate Fund will sign a declaration of partnership on climate change, glaciers, and transboundary cooperation for Central and West Asia, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said, Trend reports.
He made the remark at a panel session themed "Addressing Glacial Melting in Central and West Asia through Glaciers to Farms (G2F): Climate Change and Regional Cooperation" in Baku today.
"Today, we are taking an important step forward with the launch of the G2F program. Through G2F, we'll expand support for glacier conservation, sustainable water resource management, and social protection for vulnerable communities, mobilizing $3.5 billion over seven years to protect water resources and agriculture.
This initiative will strengthen resilience and adaptation for people in Central and Western Asia who rely on glacier-fed rivers, directly helping millions and indirectly supporting hundreds of millions of people," he also said.
According to him, the program will strengthen early warning systems so that communities can prepare for climate hazards.
As he explained, the program will expand climate services, providing farmers with the necessary information to adapt their practices, and promote sustainable water resource management, ensuring that every drop of water is used with consideration for scarcity.
"Importantly, G2F will also support local financial institutions in developing and managing climate-resilient investments, attracting private capital for adaptation measures. This means more resources for innovative solutions that are beneficial both for people and the planet," noted the ADB president.
He emphasized that, to support the development of G2F, the ADB and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), together with country partners, will today launch a study on glacier-related risks, supported by the G2F Project Preparation Facility, assessing the impact of glacier melt on water availability in critical river basins vital for regional water security.
"Our work within G2F highlights the need for close collaboration. Climate change knows no borders, and regional cooperation is essential for preserving our shared resources. The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program provides an effective platform for strengthening cross-border partnerships.
Later, we'll strengthen our common commitment by signing the Declaration on Climate Change, Glaciers, and Cross-Border Cooperation for Central and Western Asia," the ADB president added.
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