Adame Hamadi, UNDP GEF national coordinator in the Comoros Union

● In times of global warming and in the context of the Inernational Biodiversity Day, what is your appreciation of the regional issues in the environmental field?

We feel concerned by these issues. We share some climatic characteristics in common: the Comoro islands whose highest point, Mount Karthala, rises at about 800 m above sea level, which are about 2,000 square kilometers enjoy broadly the same tropical climate as Mauritius. We do share also endemic species which recall endemic counterparts of Mauritius, like the Livingstone Bat. We are one of the areas in the world where some species are still in good number. The marine turtle population is about 500 000 individuals and the subject of particular attention.

● Have you been affected recently by climatic change?

We are also affected by climatic changes. In some areas, it has been noted for three years that tidal waves, which long ago passed unnoticed, have become more intense and for a longer span of time. Two months ago, a rise in sea level threatened houses.

● What is the response of the people and the authorities in terms of environmental awareness?

The authorities have developed a national strategy to address the effects of climatic changes. In practice, it has been translated into a national implementation plan of specific projects. Both local communities and the state have shown goodwill and active interest in these issues, involving themselves in the six priority zones defined in the environmental field : 3 terrestrial and 3 marine, from Karthala forest to Boelacante, not mentioning Mohely forest. Our approach is participative. The greatest achievement has been the official proclamation of the marine park of Mohely.

● What is the role of the GEF programme in that context?

80% of our fund goes to these six priority zones, which each concentrate on climatic and geographic features. But we intervene in other fields, where for example we have to address the effects of human activity on nature. The 20% remaining funds are allocated to projects that cater for threatened zones other than those of high priority and that need an urgent intervention. Our fund, unlike Mauritius, is quite young, as the UNDP GEF programme was implemented in Comoros only last year. As a developing country and a small island developing state (SIDS), we have a larger grant than that of Mauritius, summing up to a gross yearly investment of about 600,000 USD. In fact I am here as an observer on the achievements of the UNDP GEF SGP in Mauritius and Rodrigues.