07 October 2024
H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres
Secretary General of the United Nations
H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber
COP28 President
Mr. Mukhtar Babayev
COP29 President-Designate
Mr. Ajay Banga
President of the World Bank Group
Ms. Kristalina Georgieva
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund
Excellencies,
As the international community convenes in a series of critical summits to address climate change, I have the honour to inform your esteem offices that, we the Group of Seven Plus (g7 +) representing over 300 million people in conflict and fragility affected states, write to you requesting an urgent call for action on climate financing. Our message is encapsulated in a stark reality of the prevailing circumstances. In 2022, a child born in South Sudan was 38 times more likely to be internally displaced by climate-related disasters than a child born in Europe or North America.
Countries affected by fragility and conflict are among the most vulnerable to climate change in the world. We make up 50 percent of the 25 countries most vulnerable and least ready to adapt to climate risks and that yet, on average, in 2022 they received only one quarter of the finance they need for climate adaptation. This disparity not only threatens our environment but also risks exacerbating conflicts and reversing hard-won development ga.J.ns. At last year’s COP over 90 countries and 45 organizations signed the Climate Relief, Recovery and Peace Declaration, which committed to scaling up finance and action in crisis settings. Major providers of climate finance – development banks, climate funds, and individual donor countries – have made this a priority. Now we must deliver.
We call upon you, as leaders of key international institutions and processes, to champion a transforn1ative approach to climate finance for conflict and fragility affected states. We specifically wish to urge the following:
- Double adaptation finance by 2026: We call for a global commitment to increase adaptation finance to countries affected by conflict and fragility to $20 billion per year by 2026. While this represents progress, we must acknowledge it’s still only 60% of what is needed.
- Set an ambitious 2030 target: Commit to fully closing the adaptation finance gap for countries in fragile situation by 2030, with clear annual milestones.
- Streamline access to funds: Simplify and expedite procedures for conflict and fragility-affected states to access climate finance from
global funds, recognizing our unique challenges. - Enhance capacity building: Significantly increase support for strengthening the capacities of conflict and fragility-affected states to absorb, manage, and equitably disburse climate finance.
- Localize implementation: Ensure that at least 25% of adaptation finance reaches local and community-based organizations by 2026. We request each of you to take specific actions within your mandates:
- UN Secretary-General : Advocate for a special focus on fragile states in climate negotiations and appoint a Special Envoy for Climate Adaptation in conflict and fragility affected states.
- COP Presidents: Ensure that the unique needs of conflict and fragility affected countries are central to COP agendas and outcomes, including dedicated sessions and decision text.
- World Bank President: Develop tailored financial instruments for fragility affected countries, including grants and highly concessional loans for climate adaptation. Increase the climate finance allocation for fragility affected countries to at least 35% of your climate portfolio by 2026 .
- IMF Managing Director: Include climate vulnerability in debt sustainability analyses and create a new Resilience and Sustainability Trust window specifically for fragility affected countries. We also call for:
- A commitment from the private sector to increase climate-resilient investments in fragility affected countries, supported by blended finance and guarantee mechanisms.
- Enhanced South – South cooperation among g7+ countries for knowledge sharing and capacity building on climate adaptation. To ensure accountability, we propose an annual high-level dialogue on climate finance for fragility affected countries, coinciding with the UN General Assembly, to review progress and renew commitments.
The climate crisis knows no borders , but its impacts are profoundly unequal. By directing resources and attention to the most vulnerable, we not only address climate risks but also contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable development. The cost of inaction far exceeds the investments we seek. The events you convene are key moments w here states and multilateral institutions can meet the need for urgent action , for every year without meaningful progress means risks increase, losses and damages go up, and the targets we miss in the future get higher, the gap further from reach.
On behalf the g7 + , may I note that as we remain hopeful, we call on you to ensure that leaders hear, and h ee d, this call.
Sincerely,
H.E. DR. JULIUS MMD.A BIO
PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE
(On behalf of the Members States of g7+)
Thank you.