- A UK Mission to Beira underscored the importance of international partnerships in addressing Beira’s urban and climate challenges.
- GCIP’s initiatives in urban mobility, territorial planning, and coastal protection are playing a vital role in the city’s sustainable development.
- The Mayor of Beira highlighted the importance of GCIP’s work to enhance its urban infrastructure and planning to mitigate extreme weather impacts, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai.
The Mayor of Beira, Albano Carige, explains the functionality of the green urban park.
On 18-19 March, the Municipality of Beira welcomed a visit from Liz Paterson, Deputy Director of the UK’s Department for Finance, Infrastructure and Partnerships Development, accompanied by a delegation from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the GCIP Mozambique team. The main objective of the mission was to gain firsthand insight into the initiatives supported by the UK Government under the Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme (GCIP) and to understand the challenges faced by the municipality, which has been cyclically impacted by extreme climates events.
The Mayor of Beira, Albano Carige, welcomed the delegation to his office, expressing his gratitude for the continuous support provided by the GCIP. He highlighted the work focused on improving urban mobility, territorial planning and mitigating coastal erosion, as well as the structural plan for Macurrungo-Miquejo that GCIP is helping to develop and the technical assistance provided to mobilise strategic partners for various development areas.
"It is a great joy to know that you came directly from the United Kingdom to Beira to witness the city's efforts in promoting green infrastructure. We deeply appreciate the support of the UK Government through GCIP. In just a short time interacting with the programme, we have already seen tangible results. What is most interesting is the programme's flexibility, which allows collaboration with other partners also working in Beira – a great example of this is in Macurrungo-Miquejo." Albano Carige, Beira Mayor
During a meeting in the Grand Hall of the Municipal Council, the mayor presented a comprehensive overview of Beira before, during, and after Cyclone Idai. He emphasized the resilience of the local population, who, despite numerous challenges, demonstrated remarkable strength in rebuilding their city.
The agenda included visits to key urban planning and resilience initiatives in low-income neighbourhoods, particularly in Macurungo-Miquejo, where GCIP is actively working to strengthen urban planning, enhance climate change resilience and improve waste management through the installation of Ecopoints. The delegation also visited Praia Nova, a coastal area severely affected by erosion due to unplanned construction and mangrove deforestation.
With a keen focus on local realities and the impact of ongoing initiatives, the mission reinforced the UK’s commitment to sustainable development and the resilience of Mozambican cities, reaffirming the importance of international cooperation in tackling the region’s urban and climate challenges.
The UK’s Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme is tackling climate change and extreme poverty by accelerating the delivery of sustainable green cities and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Published
28/03/25