The Minister of Water and Environment discusses enhancing climate and water information systems with the World Bank.

Minister Discusses Climate and Water Information Systems with World Bank

Virtual Meeting Focuses on Green Climate Fund Support

Today, Minister of Water and Environment, Engineer Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, held a virtual meeting with a team from the World Bank. The discussion centered on enhancing climate and water information systems in Yemen, supported by a $17 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Project Overview and Objectives

Minister Al-Sharjabi emphasized that this project, executed by the World Bank and approved by the GCF, represents the first intervention under the national climate financing program. This initiative marks a crucial step in supporting Yemen’s efforts to adapt to climate change impacts and mitigate the increasing climate risks threatening vital resources and sectors.

During the meeting, attended by the Deputy Minister and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, the General Authority for Environmental Protection, the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology, and the General Authority for Water Resources, Al-Sharjabi outlined the project’s three main components. These include:

1. Developing a climate and water information management system.
2. Designing a comprehensive national system supported by remote sensing technologies.
3. Expanding climate-resilient decision-making and early warning systems.

Additionally, the project aims to enhance the enabling environment by establishing central data management units, improving inter-sectoral coordination, and building the capacity of institutions and communities to optimize the use of climate services.

Addressing Urgent Climate Challenges

The Minister highlighted that this project responds urgently to climate challenges such as floods, droughts, and dwindling water resources. Its goal is to empower communities to adapt, improve water resource management, and provide accurate data to farmers, ultimately contributing to increased production and food security.

Next Steps for Implementation

The World Bank team will collaborate with the Ministry’s Climate Change Unit to finalize project documentation over the next three months. They will then submit these documents to the Green Climate Fund as part of national efforts to enhance local communities’ resilience against the adverse effects of climate change.

For more information, visit Yemen TV.

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