Gia Lai joins launch of emissions-reduction project covering Central Highlands and South Central Coast

31/01/2026 16:28

HỒNG UYÊN

Vietnam on January 29 launched a USD 102.5 million project aimed at reducing emissions and improving climate resilience across the Central Highlands and South Central Coast, as pressure from deforestation and greenhouse gas output intensifies.

The ceremony was held in Buon Ma Thuot Ward, in Dak Lak Province, with the Government of Vietnam partnering with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Mr. Đinh Hữu Hòa – Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, Director of the RECAF Project Management Board in Gia Lai Province, speaks at the launch ceremony. Photo: Hồng Uyên

The initiative, known as “Reducing Emissions in the Central Highlands and South Central Coastal Region” (RECAF), will be implemented in Dak Lak Province, Gia Lai Province, Lam Dong Province and Khanh Hoa Province. It targets areas where deforestation has undermined agricultural livelihoods and weakened ecosystem sustainability.

RECAF seeks to protect natural forests, develop climate-adapted agroforestry systems, and build deforestation-free agricultural value chains. Over six years, the project aims to reduce about 6.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, transition 145,000 hectares of forestry land to sustainable agroforestry, and protect roughly 500,000 hectares of high-value natural forest. It is expected to directly benefit 420,000 people and indirectly support more than one million residents in the project regions.

Mr. Frew Tamesis – Acting Country Director of IFAD Vietnam, speaks at the ceremony. Photo: Hồng Uyên

In Gia Lai Province, RECAF carries a total investment of USD 25.457 million, including USD 14 million in IFAD loans, USD 6 million in GCF non-refundable aid through IFAD, and USD 5.457 million in local counterpart funding. The project is projected to provide tangible benefits to more than 30,000 households.

Đinh Hữu Hòa, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Finance and Director of the RECAF Project Management Board in Gia Lai, said the programme is crucial to advancing green-growth objectives, emissions reduction and climate-change adaptation. He added that the province will ensure efficient and transparent fund management and enhance coordination among government units to keep the project on schedule and maximise benefits for communities in project areas.

The launch is expected to reinforce efforts across Gia Lai and neighbouring Central Highlands provinces to safeguard forest resources, strengthen rural livelihoods and support Vietnam’s broader emissions-reduction and sustainable-development goals.