Belgrade, September 21, 2018 - The German International Cooperation Agency GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH) and UNDP signed a Memorandum of understanding, to harmonize and coordinate activities focused on dealing with the climate change in Serbia.

Since 2016, GIZ and UNDP have jointly been supporting the Government of the Republic of Serbia and have been working closely with the Ministry of Mining and Energy and the Ministry of Environmental Protection to help them increase existing and attract new investments in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

"Today's Agreement envisages the expansion of our cooperation and includes complementary activities that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and enable local communities in Serbia to become more resilient to climate change," said Steliana Nedera, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Serbia, empasizing: "One of the first things we will do, in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and GIZ, is to provide further impetus to maturing of climate smart innovative ideas within the Climate Incubator and to provide all the necessary support for their implementation in practice".

Mr. Gerhard Sippel, GIZ Country Director, stated that the cooperation between GIZ and UNDP is a natural and necessary step: "GIZ, on behalf of the German Government, is implementing programs that directly enhance energy efficiency in public buildings, build capacities of partners and overcome barriers to implementation of projects in the field of bioenergy, at the same time improving the process of making investment decisions in this area. The joint activities within our cooperation will further strengthen the capacities of our partners, local self-governments, to implement projects that will contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions and thus ensure the sustainable development of their communities.

The Climate Incubator was established in May 2018 within the Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge project, implemented by the Ministry of Environmental Protection with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNDP. Within the Incubator, 40 teams that had the most innovative ideas and projects to reduce GHG and improve the management of data of importance for the fight against climate change - receive expert support and assistance in finding sources of co-financing, promotion and linking with other climate innovators.

The complementary activities of GIZ and UNDP contribute to the fulfillment of the obligations that Serbia has undertaken within the framework of the Paris Agreement, as well as in the process of accession to the European Union. At the same time, progress is being made towards the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to the Climate Action, ensuring access to affordable and clean energy and building sustainable cities and communities.