#COP28 - Dr. Joyce Banda honoured with top Forestry Initiative Award in Africa
The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Investment Awards acknowledge and celebrate the innovative efforts and groundbreaking initiatives undertaken to mobilize investments in pursuit of climate
ABU-DABHI, United Arab Emirates (Planet Defence) - Former Malawian President Dr. Joyce Banda, accompanied by Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Michael Usi, received the esteemed community-centered Best Forestry Initiative in Africa Award at the ongoing COP28 in Dubai, UAE writes Arnold Mnelemba in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Investment awards is the only international, pan-African awards that recognize and reward both public and private sector institutions who are working to innovate and break new ground to mobilize investment and private sector participation at scale in Africa’s NDC Paris aligned climate investment commitments and projects.
The recognition was for leading a delegation from the Community Development Initiative (CDI) and Irise Homes at the COP28 African Investment Earthshot Leaders Summit to receive the African NDC Forestry Initiative Award.
Collaborating with US-based Irise Homes, CDI embarked on transforming the area of Traditional Authority Nyanja of Kasungu, focusing on promoting commercial farming, environmental management, and clean energy use.
At the Africa Investment Earthshot Leaders Summit, attended by high-level delegates like Namibian President Hage Gottfried Geingob, the event saw leaders and business captains discussing climate crisis challenges and solutions, emphasizing potential funding models for various interventions, including energy infrastructure.
Dr. Joyce Banda dedicated the Award to Malawi's people, President Lazarus Chakwera, and the government for fostering an enabling environment for CDI and Irise Homes. She thanked Minister Michael Usi for his cooperative spirit and understanding of collective efforts crucial for the country's environmental agenda.
Recognized for her pre-political career in establishing NGOs and charitable foundations aimed at rural and marginalized communities' betterment, Dr. Banda was appointed as a champion of Climate Change and Justice in Africa by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA).
This recognition comes amid Malawi's recent challenges, notably Cyclone Freddy, which wreaked havoc earlier this year, causing extreme rainfall, floods, and mudslides, affecting millions of lives. President Chakwera appointed Dr. Joyce Banda and Former President Bakili Muluzi as Goodwill Ambassadors for Cyclone Freddy Recovery, highlighting their pivotal roles in addressing the aftermath of this catastrophe."