Tajikistan attracts $190 mln from EBRD, Green Climate Fund to reconstruct water supply systems

DUSHANBE. July 7 (Interfax) - Tajikistan has signed agreements with Green Climate Fund (GCF) to implement two water supply projects totaling $190 million, the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan announced.

The respective parties signed the projects following approval at the 45th meeting of the GCF board of governors in Dushanbe from June 29 to July 2.

The $160 million project to reconstruct drinking water supply and sanitation systems in the villages of Rogun, Dangara, and Khujand will attract a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and grant financing from the GCF.

The second $30 million project aims to support 14 cities and districts of Tajikistan. It includes implementing water-saving technologies and creating a fund to develop orchards.

The GCF grant financing for both projects totals $62 million, while the EBRD's loan resources total $128 million.

According to the EBRD, the projects will be implemented as part of a program approved in early July to support the creation of climate-resilient water supply systems in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. GCF and other donors are participating in the program.

Currently, nine projects totaling $173.5 million are being implemented in the country in environmental protection, agriculture, energy, and modernization of water supply facilities as part of Tajikistan's cooperation with GCF.

The Green Climate Fund is a global financial mechanism of the U.N. created to support developing countries' efforts to combat climate change. The fund's overall portfolio exceeds $13 billion.