Baku, Azerbaijan, 21 November 2024 (ECA) – Climate Change thought leaders, experts and government representatives attended a high-level dialogue at the African Pavilion to address climate finance and resilience for Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) under the theme, Consolidating strategic partnerships for climate resilience and equitable finance for African SIDS.
Organized by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Government of the Seychelles on the margins of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, the session stressed that addressing the devastating effects of climate change in African Island states requires a strong commitment to collaboration, partnerships and financing.
The panelists agreed on the urgent need to align climate-resilience mechanisms with innovative financing mechanisms. They also underscored the importance of bridging the gap in climate finance and amplifying the voices of African small Island developing states on the global stage.
Flavien Joubert, Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment of Seychelles, emphasized the need for commitment to “combatting the climate crisis through ambitious actions, comprehensive protection of biodiversity and advocating SDGs in small Island states in Africa and other developing countries.”
“The IOC has the potential to impact positively on a large expanse of sea and land within the African region,” he said, adding that discussions on climate change should set the course for the Commission to make progress through a strong ambition and cementing renewed relationships with partners.
Highlighting the geographical isolation and the small size of the Caribbean and Pacific islands that make them vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change, Adelino Cardoso, Minister of Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Environment for São Tomé and Príncipe, noted “the impact of climate and water-related hazards on the economy is significant, with losses estimated at $100 to $153 billion over the last five years.”
She discussed the economic impact of climate change, including the loss of 30% of the country’s land and the creation of 21 special reserves in 2023.
“Global cooperation is essential to access climate resources and create strategic partnerships between the government, international organizations and the private sector,” she said.
Ms. Cardoso stressed the importance of building resilient infrastructure and improving early alert systems to face disaster.
“Better data collection and analysis of the impact of the natural disasters are necessary,” she added.
Nassim Oulmane Acting Director Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management Division at the ECA emphasized on the need for regional and global partnerships to address the disproportionate climate vulnerabilities of small Island developing states in the African region.
He highlighted the immense challenges faced by these states, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events and escalating debt burdens and stressed the need for strengthening regional and global partnerships to address these issues effectively.
Mr. Oulmane pointed out the significant barriers faced by states in accessing predictable, timely and adequate climate finance.
“It is important to simplify access to funds and adopt tools like debt for nature swaps, highlighting how tailored financing solutions can strengthen climate resilience and risk management across Africa,” said Mr. Oulmane.
He also discussed the role of the Sustainable Debt Coalition (SDC) in advancing resilience building without facing excessive debt and reaffirmed ECA’s commitment to supporting transformative efforts through initiatives like the resilient Island project. The SDC was launched in 2022 at COP27 in Egypt as a space for like-minded countries to consider and advance applicable solutions at the intersection of debt, development, and climate change. The Coalition aims to increase available finance for green development efforts by helping to reduce borrowing costs for developing countries, improve financing terms, ease implementation, and address other emerging debt issues. The ECA serves as the secretariat of the Coalition at the request of the COP 27 Egyptian Presidency.
Gina Bonne, Head of Environment and Climate Change at the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), on behalf of the Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Commission said the Commission, currently chaired by the Seychelles is focusing on collaboration and finance for climate actions among the Island states in African, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Chinese seas.
She noted that the Indian Ocean Commission has been accredited to the Green Climate Fund to support Island states’ resilience, including Madagascar and Zanzibar and it is working to mobilize funds from various partners.
Ms. Bonne emphasized the need for a holistic approach to climate change, incorporating biodiversity, land degradation and the blue economy.
Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, highlighted the frontline vulnerability of small Island developing states in Africa to climate change impacts such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events and biodiversity loss.
He outlined the AfDB’s role in supporting small Island developing states in enhancing resilience and adaptative capacity against climate change.
“The climate action window was recently launched by AfDB to raise between $4 billion to $13 billion for climate action in low-income countries in Africa,” said Mr. Nyong.
He noted that three African countries, including Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, and South Sudan, have been approved for funding under this initiative.
Highlighting the importance of early warning systems for the small Island developing states, he said the AfDB is supporting Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Comoros to develop funding requests for basic weather observations.
Additionally, he said a grant of $ 5 million for Madagascar was approved in June, marking a significant step forward.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org