[Special Edition] GGGI at COP23 in Bonn, Germany
 Leadership in Achieving the Paris Agreement - One Country at a Time: GGGI's NDC Alliance
On November 14, GGGI organized an event to discuss case studies related to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) implementation in Jordan, Colombia and the Philippines, which have received support from GGGI as part of its commitment to promote climate change, green growth and sustainable development.
 During the event, Director-General Frank Rijsberman emphasized the support of GGGI for capacity building, knowledge sharing and financing, stating that climate resilience must be a priority for all nations. He highlighted that economic growth is an overarching goal of all nations and called for inclusive and sustainable policies. He noted that air pollution is one of the most pressing issues currently and said air quality, especially in Asia, is a top priority. Noting that NDCs are relevant for all countries, but that small islands developing states (SIDS) need to advance them more urgently.
During the discussion, panelists debated, among others: methods for accessing available finance and scaling it up; challenges for implementation of NDCs; changing perceptions on adaptation; relevance of natural disaster preparedness; gender inclusiveness; and poverty reduction strategies. Read more here.
Champions for Climate Action
 On November 14, Director-General Frank Rijsberman attended an event organized by the NDC Partnership. As a member of the NDC Partnership, GGGI will support the implementation of NDCs in its Members countries. During the discussion, Dr. Rijsberman described the Institute’s assistance to countries to integrate their SDGs and NDCs into their national strategies, which will grow their economies.
 Together with Andrew Steer, President, World Resources Institute (WRI) and Nick Bridge, Special Representative for Climate Change, UK, Dr. Rijsberman announced commitment to support the Pacific NDC Hub and support all partner countries to deliver on their NDCs. The event was attended by ministers and organization heads of NDC Partnership member countries and institutions. Read more here.
 GGGI attends the closing plenary of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA)
On November 15, GGGI is attending the closing plenary of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA) where parties are considering the final draft of conclusions of the APA, which outlines how work will proceed on the Paris Agreement Work Program in the coming year.
 Capacity Building for Developing Countries to Address Climate Change with a Focus on Forestry Sector
On November 14, Robert Mukiza, GGGI's Country Representative for Ethiopia presented at an event called Capacity Building for Developing Countries to Address Climate Change with a Focus on Forestry Sector organized by Korea University. Robert Mukiza said that "Ethiopia has one of the boltest climate action plans in the world, with the ambition of achieving Middle Income Status by 2025." Climate action is fully integrated into development action with Ethiopia's Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy.
 Lasse Ringius, GGGI's Deputy Director and Head of Green Investment Services highlighted the urgency to increase awareness of deforestration through partnerships in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. GGGI is the key organization that can help deliver on programs together with the Ethiopian government on the ground.
 Financing Day - Delivering SDGs and NDCs in Africa: Clean Energy Investments through Public-Private Collaboration
On November 14, Mahua Acharya, GGGI's Assistant Director-General, Investment and Policy Solutions sat down on a panel discussion of an event organized by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF). Mahua Acharya emphasized the importance of disruptive power of blended finance for implementing progress on NDCs.
 The Fiji Attorney General launches the National Development Plan
On November 14, Fiji’s Attorney-General and Minister responsible for climate change, Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum launched the National Development Plan and mentioned GGGI's technical assistance in mainstreaming green growth into the country's plan.
 The Role of Municipalities and Cities in Implementing the Paris Agreement
On November 14, Director-General Frank Rijsberman gave a presentation at an event organized by the Incheon City, Republic of Korea. Cities are important actors in forging a global coalition for moving to a low-carbon economy. The event presented the important role of cities to successfully implement the Paris Agreement.
 How SIDS are Planning and Working on Achieving their NDC Targets
On November 13, Suki Atwal, GGGI's Principal Green Finance Specialist delivered a presentation at an event jointly organized by GGGI and Grue & Hornstrup. During the event entitled "How SIDS are Planning and Working on Achieving their NDC Targets", Suki Atwal presented how GGGI is mobilizing green financing to achieve 100% renewable energy for Fiji's Taveuni Island. He added that achieving Taveuni's 100% renewable NDC target - using a phased approach - allows lessons learned at each phase to derisk and lower the cost of capital for the next.
 NDC Partnership Breakout Session
On November 13, James Sheppard, GGGI's Head of Partnerships moderated the NDC Partnership Forum breakout session on Whole-of-Government Approaches to NDC implementation.
Bilateral Meetings at COP23
 On November 15, members of the GGGI delegation for COP23, including Director-General Frank Rijsberman, Sirpa Jarvenpaa, GGGI's Director for Strategy, Partnerships and Communications (SPC) and James Sheppard, GGGI's Head of Partnerships met with UN Under Secretary General and High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, Fekitamoela Utoikamanu.
 On November 15, Director-General Frank Rijsberman together with Sirpa Jarvenpaa, GGGI's Director for Strategy, Partnerships and Communications (SPC) and James Sheppard, GGGI's Head of Partnerships held a meeting with Dr. Didacus Jules, Director-General, Organizations of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to discuss possible collaboration in the Eastern Caribbean.
 On November 14, Director-General Frank Rijsberman and Katerina Syngellakis, GGGI's Pacific Regional Representative had a promising meeting with
Papua New Guinea Minister on the sidelines of the COP23 climate change talks. As a founding Member of GGGI, Papua New Guinea will seek for opportunities to cooperate with GGGI on green growth projects in the country.
 On November 14, Director-General Frank Rijsberman together with Sirpa Jarvenpaa, GGGI's Director for Strategy, Partnerships and Communications (SPC) and James Sheppard, GGGI's Head of Partnerships sat down with Mr. Pawel Salek, Secretary of State, Ministry of the Environment of Poland to discuss preparation for the COP24 climate change conference in Katowice, Poland.
 On November 13, Director-General Frank Rijsberman together with Sirpa Jarvenpaa, GGGI's Director for Strategy, Partnerships and Communications (SPC) and James Sheppard, GGGI's Head of Partnerships met with Ms. Nezha El Ouafi, Secretary of State to the Minister of Energy, Mines, and Sustainable Development Morocco.
 On November 13, Director-General Frank Rijsberman together with Sirpa Jarvenpaa, GGGI's Director for Strategy, Partnerships and Communications (SPC) and James Sheppard, GGGI's Head of Partnerships met with New Zealand's Minister for Climate Change Hon. James Shaw and Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon. Aupito William Sio to discuss green growth in the Pacific.
Interviews
On November 13, Director-General Frank Rijsberman was interviewed by a journalist with Moroccan TV LeVert.ma at the Morocco Pavilion.
On November 13, Director-General Frank Rijsberman had an interview with 2M TV, Moroccan television service, at the Morocco Pavilion.
On November 14, Katerina Syngellakis, GGGI's Pacific Regional Representative was interviewed by Solutions Zone TV. Katerina Syngellakis discussed how GGGI is working to find solutions to renewable energy, green cities, and sustainable landscapes in the Pacific.
On November 15, Lasse Ringius, GGGI's Deputy Director and Head of Green Investment Services was interviewed by Fernando Lucarevschi Baptista on Green Finance from Canal Sul from Brazil.
GGGI COP23 Side Events & Announcements
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