DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Support for clean cooking in Madagascar
A US$1.5 million OPEC Fund technical assistance grant to UNIDO will advance energy access and promote energy transition
T he OPEC Fund and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) signed a US$1.5 million technical assistance grant agreement in April 2023 in support of the National Clean Cooking Transition Program in Madagascar. The two organizations also signed a joint declaration to deepen their partnership in securing energy access and promoting energy transition. The OPEC Fund grant will finance detailed studies and pilot projects as part of the national program, which the OPEC Fund is supporting with a separate US$35 million loan. UNIDO and partners will develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for the implementation and measurement of development results, which can be replicated in other countries for similar projects. OPEC Fund Director-General Abdulhamid Alkhalifa signed the joint declaration and the grant agreement in Vienna with Gerd Müller, Director-General of UNIDO, and said: “We are very pleased to expand our cooperation with UNIDO and to support our flagship clean cooking program in Madagascar with UNIDO’s vast technical and advisory expertise. This is critical for an effective implementation to which we look forward.” (see page 22) In their joint declaration, both institutions confirm their commitment to increase cooperation in advancing energy access and clean cooking, mobilizing public and private funds to support energy access, green transition, climate adaptation and resilience. Together with the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the UN- affiliated organization Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) the OPEC Fund last year launched the Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub to accelerate access to clean and affordable energy in developing countries. It is prioritizing clean cooking and provides support for countries to advance it as a critical component of their integrated energy plans. Madagascar is the first country where the hub is being rolled out.
Four consequences of lack of clean cooking access
Black carbon emissions
Deforestation
Women and children carry a disproportionate burden
Widespread exposure to harmful indoor pollution
ILLUSTRATIONS: Alfaza502 – stock.adobe.com; GreenSkyStudio – stock.adobe.com; Happypictures – stock.adobe.com; lovemask – stock.adobe.com; Robin Turton
49
Powered by FlippingBook