Addis Ababa, 28 February 2022 (ECA) – Climate Change, Natural Resource Management and Technology Director at the ECA, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, has expressed concern about the difficulties faced by African island states in accessing green climate financing. This is despite African islands being the most vulnerable to climate disaster. Mr. Adam’s remarks were made during an online discussion on “Harnessing the Potential of African Islands to Build Forward Better” ahead of the 8th session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) in Kigali, Rwanda.
“It is often difficult for low-income countries to gain access to resources. These countries often have to borrow at high costs and agree to frameworks not necessarily adapted to their needs. There are hardly any countries in the world that are as vulnerable to climate change as small island states.”, Mr. Adam noted. He explained that it is important to prioritize the most vulnerable states with regards to climate financing, adding that there is a need to mainstream this approach globally.
The Acting-Director of the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), Heidi Schroderus-Fox, was vocal about the need to address the challenges faced by island states due to their specific vulnerabilities. “Sao Tome and Principe faces coastal degradation. We could lose the coral reefs in Seychelles and in Cabo Verde, the collapse of the tourism industry has coincided with drought and mounting debt. We need specific solutions for these.” Ms Schroderus-Fox said.
The event brought together senior government officials from African islands states and development partners to discuss innovative actions and financial mechanisms to harness their potential to advance inclusive and resilient development for African islands. The discussions also agreed to strengthen the community of practice on climate-resilient development. In attendance were representatives from various levels of government in Guinea Bissau, Seychelles, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius and others from the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), as well as the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS).
This event took place on the sidelines of the ARFSD - an annual multi-stakeholder platform organized by the ECA and the host government, this year, Rwanda, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and other entities of the United Nations Systems. This year’s forum will be held from March 3 to March 5, 2022, on the theme ‘Building forward better: A green, inclusive and resilient Africa poised to achieve the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.’
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