The Climate Resilient Coastal and Marine Zone project for The Gambia is funded by the European Union and provides technical advice and support for the development and implementation of activities undertaken by the Global Climate plus.
The technical working group meeting was aimed at consolidating results and positive experiences of the previous GCCA project “Support to the Gambia for integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) and the Mainstreaming of climate change 2013-2016.”
The objective of the project is to support the implementation of recommendations set out in the Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Strategic Plans (Jan 2016) and the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) implementation plan for the Gambia (April 2016).
Among the purposes of the Gambia’s Integrated Coastal Zone Management are to preserve, protect and enhance the status of coastal resources on behalf of all Gambians. including future generations, to secure equitable access to opportunities and benefits of coastal resources and to provide for the coordinated and integrated management of the Coastal Zone by all spheres of government per principles of cooperating governance.
Borry Mansa Demba, in his remarks on behalf of the Executive Director of the National Environment Agency said most of the problems faced along the coasts emanates from the upland, adding that the research aspect of the project is pertinent in implementing it.
HeikoZailat, technical assistant for the GCCA+ project, said the technical working group is dealing with GCCA+ component one which enhances institutional governance enabling planning and implementation of improved climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation measures in the Coastal and Marine Zones of The Gambia.
ArunaJobe, GCAA+ Project Coordinator explained the significant achievements registered during the implementation of the first program.
However, he said they are yet to register a key milestonein the extension of the enactment of the regulations for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management with particular reference to the strategic plan.