By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has launched the Green Cities Initiative in Cameroon to enhance urban resilience and sustainability.
The launching ceremony took place on Sunday, April 21 in Yaounde, chaired by the Minister of Decentralization and Local Development, Géorges Elanga Obam alongside QU Dongyu, Director-General of FAO. They were accompanied by several government dignitaries.
During the event, QU Dongyu expressed his satisfaction and commitment to the seven councils in Cameroon that presented letters of intent to join FAO’s Green Cities initiative.
He underlined that this initiative aims to boost the sustainable development of cities by improving access to goods and ecosystems, highlighting that municipalities play a crucial role in enhancing livelihoods and well-being.
He expressed optimism about the potential for the first seven cities in Cameroon to join the FAO Green City Network, stating, “I’m confident that together we can make them greener, healthier, and more sustainable.” He also emphasized the creation of green jobs for the younger generation.
While stressing the importance of ensuring policy coherence at both the national and local levels, along with the necessary investment in mobile land, he said, “You have a crucial role to play in your cities,”.
He added, “together, we can expedite the journey towards becoming the greenest city in Africa, ensuring no one is left behind. Together, we can reimagine and redesign our cities, envisioning them as green, sustainable, and livable.”
Furthermore, he pointed out that there is need to elevate the standards of the economy, embracing the principles of the green economy and comprehensive design. To him, it’s not just about creating more urban sprawl but also preserving the land and diversifying green spaces to enhance natural living and sustainability.
“We should not only focus on food production and tree planting but also view tree planting as part of gardening and horticulture. This approach distinguishes traditional forests from modern practices and represents a transformation in forestry,” he elaborated.
Minister Elanga Obam commended FAO and the Director-General for the admirable initiative, noting especially the Director-General, for the commendable initiative noting that the implementation in seven pilot councils reflects the quality of cooperation in the decentralization and local development sub-sector that is maintain.
The seven councils that have joined the initiative include Yaounde IV, Yaounde V, Yaounde VI, Yaounde VII, Mfou, Yaounde City Council, and the Douala City Council.
Since March 2023, a pilot Green Cities initiative has been ongoing in Cameroon, focusing on projects like pre-collection, composting, and urban agriculture promotion in Yaoundé VI Council.
The initiative aims to enhance the resilience and well-being of urban and peri-urban populations while fostering sustainable urbanization and access to healthy foods. The FAO Green Cities Initiative seeks to implement innovative solutions that promote sustainability, resilience, and improved quality of life in cities.
It aims to facilitate the development of integrated food production and distribution systems that benefit both residents and farmers, contributing to a more sustainable urban environment.