Adaptation Fund LDCs Representative Was Tireless Supporter of Climate Action for the Most Vulnerable

Mr. Chebet Maikut, of Uganda, Passes Away Oct. 2 After Sudden Illness

Washington, D.C. (October 7, 2019) — Countless heartfelt messages for the collegiality and affability of Mr. Chebet Maikut, of Uganda, and his dedication to fighting climate change for the most vulnerable communities poured in from his fellow Adaptation Fund Board members this week in the wake of his unexpected passing the morning of Oct. 2 after complaining of ill health the previous evening.

Mr. Maikut, 59, represented the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) constituency on the Adaptation Fund Board since April 2016, and served as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Fund’s Accreditation Panel since 2017. He was a strong supporter of the Fund’s work, esteemed by the Board, Panel and Secretariat, for contributing his wisdom and kindness to its work.

Mr. Maikut also contributed greatly to fighting climate change for Uganda at the national and international levels. He was the Commissioner in charge of the Climate Change Department in the Ministry of Water and Environment and the National Focal Point for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. He created Uganda’s climate change unit and mobilized significant funds for adaptation for the country. He led preparation of Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions toward the Paris Agreement, identifying agriculture as a major source of emissions and seeking to curb them by 22 per cent. He was further a seasoned negotiator in the UN climate process at the international level, and over the years represented the views of developing countries, Africa and LDCs.

Adaptation Fund Board and Secretariat members alike expressed their sadness at the news of Mr. Maikut’s passing, sharing praises for his friendly and dedicated presence on the Board.

“I am deeply saddened to say this is a tremendous loss for the Adaptation Fund Board and Accreditation Panel, and Chebet will be greatly missed,” said Adaptation Fund Board Chair Ms. Sylviane Bilgischer, of Belgium. “He has been an exemplary colleague on the Board over the last few years, serving those who are most vulnerable to climate change around the world with kindness, great care and dedication.”

The Board plans to observe a minute of silence in Mr. Maikut’s memory at its 34th meeting next week in Bonn, Germany.

“Chebet was very much appreciated and respected by his colleagues in the Adaptation Fund family, and will be terribly missed,” said Adaptation Fund Manager Mr. Mikko Ollikainen. “He dedicated his life to civil service through the roles he held at the national and international levels. He always represented the needs of LDCs on the Board with the utmost intelligence, dedication and kindness. We express our sincere condolences to all of his family and friends.”

Mr. Maikut was a very strong supporter and passionate voice for the Fund’s work, and can be seen here at the 10:18 mark praising its concrete actions on the ground for the most vulnerable.

Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment was accredited with the Adaptation Fund in March 2019 under the Fund’s pioneering Direct Access modality that empowers developing countries to access funds and develop adaptation projects directly with the Fund through accredited NIEs. As an LDC, Uganda is among the nearly half of the Fund’s 31 NIEs across the globe that are in LDCs or small island developing states.

“Mr. Maikut has ably represented Uganda and the Least Developed Countries with distinguished service,” wrote Mr. Alfred Okot Okidi, Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment, in a letter to the Fund.

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