Norway will contribute NOK 30 million for the first three-year phase of a programme to protect and replant mangrove forests. The initiative, which is being launched by former US President Bill Clinton, is intended to reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities to disasters like the 2004 Asian tsunami, and to increase their development opportunities.

Mr Clinton, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, has proposed a six-year, NOK 400 million initiative to promote sustainable development in coastal areas in countries including India, Indonesia, the Maldives, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Thailand. “I am delighted that Mr Clinton is involved in ecosystem conservation and that he is spearheading this initiative. This is an excellent measure, which is in line with our environmental priorities. We are happy to contribute,” says Minister of International Development Erik Solheim.

“This Government wants Norway to play a key role as an environmental nation and therefore considers it very important to make environmental concerns an integral part of all development cooperation. Support for this initiative to restore and rebuild the coastal zone in the areas hit by the tsunami is the Government’s first major environmental initiative since it launched its Action Plan for Environment in Development Cooperation this summer,” says Mr Solheim. The action plan emphasises the importance of integrating environmental issues into development cooperation, making it possible for poor people to improve their living conditions and health and reducing their vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.

The initiative involves the restoration and conservation of mangrove forests, the development of national and local institutions, and the development of knowledge about ecosystem services and vulnerability to natural disasters. The initiative has been developed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

The initiative will be launched by Bill Clinton in New York on Tuesday 31 October. Norway will be represented by Political Adviser Gry Larsen from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Press contact: Information Adviser Marte Lid 91650528.