News in Brief:
– FAO has launched the Green Cities Initiative in Cameroon to address urban challenges and promote sustainable solutions.
– The pilot project demonstrates potential for transforming urban landscapes into urban green and productive spaces.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched its Green Cities Initiative, a groundbreaking project now taking shape in Cameroon.
With an estimated two-thirds of the global population projected to reside in urban areas by 2050, municipalities are grappling with a myriad of challenges.
FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, emphasised the urgent need to enhance urban livelihoods, especially access to nutritious foods, clean water, energy, and adequate housing.
Cameroon has witnessed a staggering 50% increase in its urban population from 2010 to 2020, with over 15 million urban dwellers, half of whom reside in Yaoundé and Douala. This surge in urbanisation has prompted FAO to kickstart the Green Cities Initiative, starting with a pilot project in Yaoundé IV district.
The pilot project in Yaoundé focuses on training waste collectors, promoting composting, and fostering urban agriculture. Since its inception in March 2023, it has garnered significant interest from municipalities across Cameroon. The result? Seven more municipalities pledged their commitment to the initiative, highlighting its potential to transform urban landscapes.
FAO’s Green Cities Initiative envisions vibrant and inclusive urban spaces that target climate resilience, social cohesion, and economic prosperity. By bridging the gap between urban and rural areas, the initiative aims to create sustainable agrifood systems and green infrastructure, fostering a harmonious relationship between citizens and nature.
