The below is attributable to Spokesperson Rebecca Chalif:
Today, Administrator Samantha Power participated in key meetings and events at COP26 to advance the United States’ partnerships and commitments to address the climate crisis.
Administrator Power met with Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment, Espen Barth Eide. The two discussed USAID and Norway’s commitment to combating the climate crisis, the Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance (LEAF) Coalition, which was announced at President Biden’s Leaders’ Summit on Climate, and USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean program. They also discussed continued collaboration on assisting African nations with transitions to renewable energy.
Later, she participated in the Global Landscapes Forum opening plenary “Financing Green and Greening Finance” at the University of Glasgow. In a fireside chat, the Administrator stressed the importance of partnering with the private sector to increase the flow of climate positive investments. She also stressed the importance of equity and inclusivity in our approach to tackling climate change and working in true partnership with smallholder farmers, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, especially the most climate-vulnerable who are often best placed to creatively solve challenges caused by the climate crisis.
Administrator Power met with Claudia Sadoff, Managing Director of CGIAR. The two discussed USAID’s $215 million investment in the CGIAR for climate-smart agriculture research and innovation and opportunities to deepen the long-standing partnership between USAID and CGIAR to address food and water insecurity through science and innovation that helps farmers both in the US and in developing countries.
She then met with Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu. The two discussed Zambia’s important strides in increasing their climate ambition, including steps taken to protect forests as well as the forthcoming launch of the Comprehensive Africa Climate Change Initiative (CACCI) and USAID’s support to African member states in implementing ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. They also discussed the importance of fighting corruption in order to effectively tackle climate change.