Enviro News Asia, Seoul — The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) have reinforced their commitment to advancing global climate action through stronger international partnerships and increased climate finance support for developing countries.
The two organizations hosted their first-ever joint conference, titled “GGGI-GCF Joint Conference: Partnering for Ambitious Global Climate Action,” in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on 21 May 2026. The event brought together diplomats, policymakers, financial institutions, businesses, and development partners to explore ways of accelerating green investment and climate resilience initiatives worldwide.
The conference highlighted the long-standing collaboration between GCF and GGGI, which has been strengthened through a Readiness and Preparatory Support Framework Agreement signed in 2017. The partnership focuses on enhancing countries’ capacity to access climate finance and develop bankable climate projects.
Opening the conference, GCF Executive Director Mafalda Duarte emphasized the urgency of strengthening international cooperation amid escalating climate impacts and shrinking development budgets.
“Climate impacts are accelerating everywhere, and this is happening at a time when international cooperation is fragile. Development budgets are shrinking. Now is the moment to step up,” Duarte said.
She noted that GCF and GGGI are currently deploying approximately US$74 million through readiness programmes across 38 countries, supporting institutions such as the Mongolia Green Finance Corporation and the Vanuatu National Green Energy Fund.
GGGI Director-General Sang-Hyup Kim highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing global green growth agendas, including initiatives related to voluntary carbon markets and artificial intelligence for sustainability.
“We will continue leading global green growth agendas such as the Global Voluntary Carbon Mechanism and Green AI while deepening strategic cooperation with GCF to develop practical joint initiatives and implementation plans,” Kim said.
Former United Nations Secretary-General and Chair of the GGGI Council, Ban Ki-moon, described the partnership as a model of international cooperation capable of supporting countries throughout the climate finance cycle, from policy development and project preparation to financing and implementation.
The conference attracted representatives from more than 100 countries, including ambassadors, development institutions, policy banks, corporations, research organizations, and public sector agencies.
Among the speakers was Jordan’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Asal Al-Tal, who highlighted the importance of GCF support for the Jordan-Aqaba Water Desalination and Conveyance Project. The initiative, valued at approximately US$5.8 billion, is designed to strengthen Jordan’s long-term water security and is regarded as the largest water infrastructure project in the country’s history.
“GCF’s commitment to this project is significant in strengthening my country’s water security,” Al-Tal said.
Additional participants included senior officials from the governments of the Republic of Korea, Australia, Sweden, India, and Zambia, alongside representatives from international financial and climate institutions.
Discussions during the afternoon sessions focused on strengthening support mechanisms across the climate finance cycle, including readiness support, policy development, project preparation, and implementation. Participants also examined the growing role of the private sector in climate action, emphasizing the need to create stronger pipelines of investable projects, improve enabling policy environments, and use public finance strategically to mobilize private capital.
The conference underscored the increasing importance of partnerships between international organizations, governments, and the private sector as countries seek to accelerate climate action and meet global climate and sustainable development goals. (*)
