Contribution made by Ireland to the least developed countries fund in 2017

​To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contribution made by Ireland to the least developed countries fund in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Darragh O'Brien.
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 20th June, 2017.
Ref No: 27106/17 Order: 613

REPLY
The Least Developed Countries Fund was established to support Least Developed Countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as they carry out the preparation and implementation of the required National Adaptation Programmes of Action and National Adaptation Plans. This is in accordance with mandates of the Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC and the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. 

Ireland has supported the Least Developed Countries Fund since 2003. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to continue contributions to the Fund.  At the meeting of the Conference of the Parties in December 2015, Ireland, along with a number of other donors, pledged additional funding to the Fund.  Ireland, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, provided a grant of €1 million to the Fund in 2017, based on the Taoiseach’s commitment that Ireland would provide at least €6 million for the Fund by 2020.