GEF grants $8.2 million for the Zero-Emission New Town of Boughezoul in Algeria
December 28, 2010 - A partnership agreement was signed Tuesday, December 21, 2010 in Algiers between the Algerian government and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) adopting a strategy for the Zero-Emission New Town of Boughezoul, Medea. This town is a landmark model for developing countries to address their challenges of meeting growing energy needs without emitting harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
A GEF grant of $8.2 million, along with a contribution of $22 million from the government of Algeria, will fund the development of Boughezoul, including the transfer of clean technologies. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Spatial Planning and the Environment, His Excellency Chérif Rahmani, and the GEF CEO and Chairperson, Mrs. Monique Barbut. The project will be implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) .
“The design and development of the new town of Boughezoul is an opportunity to introduce best practices in architecture, building construction and urban planning, as well as to promote research and development and business opportunities in response to climate change through the development of conditions favorable to the transfer of clean technologies that will benefit Algeria,” said Bernard Jamet, head of the Technology Transfer Unit of the Energy Branch, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics for the United Nations Environment Programme.