Belgian Development minister signs 25 million euro cooperation programme in Mozambique
Belgian minister of Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez arrived in the Mozambican capital Maputo on Tuesday afternoon, where she and Mozambique's Foreign minister, Veronica Macamo, signed a cooperation programme worth 25 million euros.
The programme, which runs from 2023 to 2028, should help Mozambique to make its economy more climate-friendly by focusing on green energy, and supports a sustainable waste management programme. 2.5 million euros of the budget will be allocated to compensation for loss and damages relating to climate change from human activity. The Brussels-Capital region will contribute an additional 1 million euros for new drinking water facilities.
Overlooking the Maputo-Ketembe bridge and the Umbuluzi river, the ministers spoke on Tuesday about the challenges facing the southeast African country. "The people of Mozambique will never forget Belgium's support in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic," Macamo said. She outlined the political and economic situation, but the conversation focused mainly on the impact of the climate crisis.
Cyclones
In 2019, cyclones Idai and Kenneth killed more than 600 people in Mozambique. In February and March this year, the country was further hit by Freddy, the longest-lasting cyclone ever recorded. The government is now trying to take preventive measures - by moving people into lower-lying areas and advising people to build more climate-resistant houses - but the warnings often come too late. Mozambique is in a very critical position, Macomo stressed.
Later in the day, Gennez has a bilateral meeting scheduled with Mozambique's minister of Land and Environment Ivete Maibaze and deputy minister of Finance Carla Loveira.
(BRV)
Belgian minister of Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez and Mozambican minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Veronica Macamo © BELGA PHOTO BO BOUILLIAERT
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