ABIDJAN, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Abidjan, the economic capital of Cote d'Ivoire, has been selected to host the Africa regional office of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Ivorian Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition said in a statement on Saturday.

The designation was made following a GCF meeting held from Wednesday to Saturday in Incheon, South Korea.

Authorities of Cote d'Ivoire said the choice reflects the country's economic dynamism and commitment to combating the effects of climate change, underscoring Cote d'Ivoire's role as a key player in climate action on the African continent.

Through its strategic presence in Abidjan, the GCF aims to strengthen the coordination of its projects, enhance technical support to countries, and facilitate access to climate finance.

The establishment of this regional office is expected to generate significant economic benefits, particularly in terms of job creation and the development of local expertise in climate finance.

The presence of the GCF in Cote d'Ivoire will also help support initiatives in key sectors such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, natural resource management and climate resilience.

Cote d'Ivoire's authorities have repeatedly expressed their determination to play a leading role in implementing and coordinating climate policies across Africa.

The Abidjan office will cover West Africa, Central Africa and part of North Africa. Other GCF regional offices will be located in Nairobi for East and Southern Africa, Panama City for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Amman for Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.

GCF was established in 2010 as a dedicated financing vehicle for developing countries within the global climate architecture, serving the Financial Mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. ■