ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Germany have committed to launch the second phase of the Billion Tree Afforestation Support Project, with Germany providing €20 million for its implementation, reported state-run news channel PTV.
The agreement was signed following the approval of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema. Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Esther Gravenkotter, Director of the German Development Bank (KFW), signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.
This project is a key component of the German-Pakistan Climate and Energy Initiative, which was launched at COP26. With this new agreement, funding from the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KFW for the project has now reached €33.5 million.
The initiative aims to support nature-based livelihood generation to alleviate poverty while promoting women’s economic empowerment and enhancing their participation in decision-making processes.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Niaz expressed that the project is expected to significantly contribute to Pakistan’s climate change mitigation efforts, biodiversity conservation, and achievement of sustainable development goals.
