LDC5 Side Event: Catalyzing Climate Adaptation Actions in Least Developed Countries

The Global Environment Facility organized a high-level panel discussion at the Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5), on March 6, 2023 in Doha, Qatar. The side event was organized to advance and maintain political momentum and enhance financing for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) to catalyze climate adaptation action in LDCs in line with the GEF’s new Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodríguez opened the event, highlighting key results and achievements of the LDCF, which has provided more than $1.7 billion in grants to LDCs, which is catalyzing more than $7.1 billion in optional co-financing since inception. He also highlighted key outcomes of the One Forest Summit in Gabon that was held in early March 2023, where the GEF provided recommendations for innovative financing and potential to links with adaptation finance in LDCs.

Dr. Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Bhutan, opened with an analogy from his medical background on the doctor-patient relationship. He highlighted the need for strengthened adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change and mentioned that the world needs to act together and faster. The Prime Minister also shared Bhutan’s successful conservation experience and long association with the GEF in fighting climate change.

Secretary Kewal Prasad Bhandari of Nepal expressed his satisfaction with the LDCF, stating that the fund is the main partner of choice for channeling resources for adaptation in Nepal. Secretary Bhandari went on to cite results from LDCF investments in disaster management, agriculture, and water resource management.

Tuvalu’s Minister of Finance Seve Paeniu acknowledged GEF support for Tuvalu’s adaptation work for more than two decades, starting with the preparation of their National Adaption Program of Action (NAPA), and implementation of various projects identified by the NAPA. Minister Paeniu also mentioned that Tuvalu has prepared a long-term adaptation plan, which identifies building a new land mass to escape rising sea levels as an adaptation solution. He stressed that conventional adaptation approaches are no longer effective in the face of extreme climate events, and that there is a need for country-specific options and plans. With the cost for building a new island in Tuvalu estimated at $4 billion, alternative and innovative financing options would be considered. Minister Paeniu concluded his remarks by highlighting specific challenges for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in accessing resources, and called for further streamlining of processes and targeted support for LDCs and SIDS.

Heidy Rombouts, Vice-Minister for Development Cooperation and Major Cities Policy of Belgium underscored the importance of the LDCF, to which Belgium is currently the third largest donor. She highlighted that climate adaptation is one of the crucial priorities in Belgium’s international development policy and welcomed the GEF’s new LDCF Programming Strategy. Ms. Rombouts emphasized the importance of linking adaptation action and measures to protect, conserve, and sustainably manage biodiversity and ecosystems. She further stated her expectation for the LDCF to connect adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and food systems.  Ms. Rombouts suggested that for better quantity and quality of finance, it is important for all LDCs and development partners to have shared responsibilities and ensure money follows the people in need and to facilitate access. She also stressed the need to address the proliferation of funds and initiatives in the climate and environment realm, since setting up new funds and making them operational takes time and resources.

Michele Sumilas, Assistant to the Administrator of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) discussed how the United States is providing climate finance to the vulnerable countries through multilateral as well as bilateral channels, including a focus on the implementation of locally-led adaptation. She stated that 25 percent of US funding is through local partners and asked how the LDCF could further shift its model to support local people more directly. She also highlighted the need to involve the private sector to build upon LDCF investments. Ms. Sumilas mentioned the US perspective of the need for reforms of multilateral development banks, starting with the World Bank, to make the banks investment friendly for climate action.

During the question and answer session, the panelists interacted with the participants on a number of issues, including GEF support for graduating LDCs, and monitoring of results and impacts.

Michael Bizwick Usi, Malawi’s Minister for Natural Resources and Climate, conveyed his appreciation for GEF support in engaging with and consulting the LDC Group during the LDCF Programming Strategy development. He also raised the capacity challenges of LDCs in developing project proposals and private sector engagement. Minister Usi called on donors to provide long term and predictable funding to the LDCF and ensure that it is well resourced to help reduce the widening adaptation financing gap for the LDCs.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell highlighted that adaptation support for the poorest and most vulnerable countries is not an expense, it is an investment in the safety and well-being of millions of people, and the LDCF is at the heart of adaptation finance for LDCs. He also called for expedited access to support the implementation of National Adaptation Plans. Taking note of the ongoing MDB reform and private sector finance, Mr. Stiell discussed the need for change in the international climate finance architecture to get resources to those in need.

In closing, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez stressed that the LDCF will continue to strive to be at the highest tier in adaptation investment for LDCs, particularly in terms of impact, country engagement, innovation, inclusion, and effectiveness. He committed to redoubling efforts to support the needs and priorities of LDCs in a streamlined way and with enhanced access. He concluded by thanking the countries that have been steadfast supporters of the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund.

All photos credited to Malvika Monga and Chizuru Aoki, GEF.