Maseru, Lesotho: On Saturday 20th July 2024, the Government of Lesotho, in partnership with the UN
Environment Programme (UNEP), awarded certificates of competence in Monitoring, Evaluation and
Learning (MEL) to 24 trainees. The trainees included 12 women and 12 men, who successfully
completed a one week short-course offered by the Institute of Development Management (IDM). The
official awarding of certificates was done by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Environment
and Forestry, Maphakamile Xingwana. The training was sponsored by the International Institute for
Sustainable Development (IISD) to the tune of USD$20,000.
The trainees are the national expects and stakeholders collaborating directly with the Lesotho NAP
process and were selected from different relevant government ministries and departments, academia,
research institutions, Youth, the development partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, civil
societies and the private sector. With the skills they acquired from the training, these experts will
assist the Lesotho NAP process to strengthen its monitoring, evaluation and learning component to
ensure accountability as well as to assess whether the NAP process’ intended results that are aimed
for are well achieved.
The Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Maphakamile Xingwana
Speaking during the ceremony PS Xingwana, indicated that the training is one of those significant
milestones for strengthening national and institutional capacities that will enable Lesotho to advance
its NAP and its implementation. “The technical capacity acquired from the MEL will make us more
flexible and agile and lead us to adaptive project management. Internalising MEL organisationally,
demonstrates a commitment to ongoing learning and process improvements and in delivering positive
sustainable impact for the benefit and prosperity of all stakeholders and the local communities that
we serve. I encourage all stakeholders to join hands in the initiative geared towards climate change
adaptation, sustainable environmental management and inclusive economic growth.”
Also speaking on behalf of the trainees, Mr. Letsatsi Lekhooa said the training provided them with
essential skills and knowledge and this will serve as a strong foundation for the future of the project.
He urged all stakeholders to work together in advancing the climate change initiatives and sustainable
goals for the benefit of Lesotho.
The NAP process aims to reduce vulnerability to the negative impacts of climate change, especially in
least developed countries, through strategic planning based on projections of future climate change.
NAPs are seen as one of the most important mechanisms for adapting to climate change.
The three-year NAP project was approved in June 2020 by the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
under the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme Proposal. The UN Environment
Programme is supporting the MEF in the implementation of this NAP project, while the
Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) provides national coordination and support
throughout the NAP process ensuring that this process is country-led and country-owned.
