Bishkek – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is leveraging the strength of partnerships in Kyrgyzstan to ensure the successful delivery of a major Green Climate Fund (GCF) project.
Since April 2023, FAO and the Government have been implementing activities for the “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investments in Forests and Rangelands” (СS-FOR) project – an initiative with USD 50 million in funding (including a USD 30 million GCF grant)
Project partners—including the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund, and Community Development and Investment Agency of Kyrgyz Republic (ARIS) are working together to implement effective green solutions in the country. These solutions will reduce pressure on ecosystems, lead to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
“The uniqueness of this project lies in the collaboration of all stakeholders,” noted Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan. “This is very important, as projects often focus solely on one area, such as water resources or pastures. In this project, community landscape management groups have been established to bring all participants together for joint decision-making on climate change and natural resource issues, which will help ensure the sustainability of project outcomes.”
One of the key factors for success has been the establishment of effective and strong relationships with operational partners based on the OPIM (Operational Partners Implementation Modality) approach. Launched in 2015, this approach remains one of FAO’s key mechanisms for interacting with partners at the operational level. It strengthens national accountability and capacity for project implementation, as the selected partners provide additional mandates, skills, and resources necessary for achieving greater impact.
From the outset, FAO has placed particular emphasis on negotiations with key project partners in Kyrgyzstan, including the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund, the Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS), and the Forest Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situations. This has allowed for effective cooperation and strengthened trust among all project participants.
“These negotiations were not just a formality; they laid the foundation for developing a common vision and strategies, aligning interests, and ensuring the smooth implementation of all ideas,” said Gulmira Urmanbetova, FAO national project coordinator. “As a result, an Operational Partners Agreement was signed, which secured the long-term commitment of the parties.”
An important part of this negotiation process has been the alignment of work approaches, allowing partners to utilize their own systems and methods. This enhances efficiency, while regular meetings and consultations help resolve any disputes in a timely manner.
The OPIM approach facilitates swift decision-making and has led to significant strengthening of institutional and technical capacities among partners, including the Forest Service and ARIS. FAO maintains a leading role, overseeing and coordinating the project implementation process, which serves as a guarantee for achieving all planned results.
It is expected that over the project’s 20-year lifespan, more than 19.8 million tons of CO2 equivalent will be sequestered, accounting for 7.6 percent of the country’s total emissions and 22.6 percent of agricultural emissions. Under the Paris Agreement, Kyrgyzstan has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15.97 percent by 2030, and this project will be key to fulfilling those commitments.
FAO continues to strengthen partnerships, which supports the successful application of the OPIM approach and the achievement of key project objectives. There is no doubt that the continuation of this collaboration will bring long-term benefits to national and regional institutions, ensuring their sustainable development.
Learn more:
- Climate Change
- FAO and the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
- FAO representative visits Kyrgyzstan to discuss the climate change and forest ecosystem restoration agenda
- The FAO project will help Kyrgyzstan to combat climate change
- In Kyrgyzstan, FAO and partners aim to help restore ecosystems critical to combating climate change
https://www.fao.org/countryprofiles/news-archive/detail-news/en/c/1717179/
