51吃瓜

H.E. Mr. Bahodur Sheralizoda, Chairman, Committee of Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan

Amb. Collen Vixen Kelapile, Permanent Representative of Botswana to the 51吃瓜 and Global Chair of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries

Hon’ble Ministers, Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues.

‘Droughts, floods, storms and wildfires are devastating lives and livelihoods around the globe. Loss and damage from the climate emergency are getting worse by the day’. 

These were the remarks of the Secretary General at the launch of a recent UN report on the environment. 

And perhaps they could not ring louder for any group of countries than they do for the LLDCs. 

This is the third event today that I am attending where I am speaking on the climate vulnerabilities of the LLDCs – that itself is a major achievement and indicates growing awareness.  But while there is awareness, yes, I have also heard the frustrations by repeated speakers about the lack of desired level of action and attention from the international community to the plights and particular challenges of the LLDCs.  

As many of you are already aware, the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries are beset by a multitude of structural vulnerabilities - stemming from their geography and lack of coastal access. 

Climate change is further exacerbating these vulnerabilities due to LLDCs’ limited capacity for mitigation and adaptation - especially as international support continues to fall short.  

And the Covid-19 pandemic made thigs worse.  

The frequency of extreme weather events, including storms, cyclones, flooding, heat waves and irregular rains continues to increase. 

Total land area in LLDCs covered by forests continues to decline. Over half of LLDCs’ surface is classified as dryland. 

Record wildfires have been recorded in Latin America over the past two years - with Bolivia and Paraguay amongst the worst impacted highlight the susceptibility of this group. 

Meanwhile in mountainous LLDCs, rising temperatures are melting glaciers, resulting in more landslides, flash floods and reduced water availability.
The Central Asian LLDCs, host to mountain ranges considered the third pole of the world, have seen accelerated melting of glaciers in recent years. 
This is threatening the region’s water supply and socioeconomic stability.
A World Bank report published last September estimated that Central Asian LLDCs could see as many as 5 million internal climate migrants by 2050.
The LLDCs have limited institutional, technical and financial capacities to tackle the challenges arising from the climate crisis. 

Yet despite not having contributed to climate change in any significant way, they stand on the frontlines of its impacts. 

And the situation is further compounded by a shrinking global aid and financial space, preventing among others private investment flows in mitigation and adaptation to the LLDCs, when it is so greatly needed.  

According to UNCTAD, two thirds of private investment in climate related sectors goes to developed economies. 

The financial flow to countries where the needs are the greatest, including LLDCs, are paltry by comparison.

However, there are solutions available to the LLDCs to the tough challenges that lie ahead. 

In the earlier events that I attended today, I have heard about the transformative measures being taken by the LLDCs themselves to respond to the crisis.  I heard about effective homegrown mitigation and adaptation initiatives, and this gives reason for much hope. 

What is most needed now access to adequate and timely financing. 

We need to scale up both public and private sector financing for mitigation and adaptation, as a matter of absolute priority.  

International development partners need to play their role in supporting LLDCs, by setting long-term goals that result in predictable climate financing in LLDCs. 

International organizations must also enhance the capacity of LLDCs to attract higher levels of private investment in projects that contribute to climate action. 

That should include renewable energy and agriculture. 

Blended finance investments can also provide impetus to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
 
An example is the Green Climate Fund (GCF)’s sub-national Climate Fund.

This is an impact equity fund, aiming to catalyze long-term public and private investment of up to $1 billion for mitigation and adaptation projects.

The upcoming 3rd LLDCs Conference in 2024 will be an opportunity to put the spotlight on many of these issues and find practical solutions.  We look forward to continued engagement and collaboration with the LLDCs and other partners in the lead up to that, and keeping our discussions going even beyond COP27.  

Thank you.