CVF move towards independence marks strong political will to advance ambitious climate action, ICSC stated
DUBAI, December 5, 2023 – The Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), a group of 68 member countries highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, has announced Barbados to be its next presidency starting mid-2024 at the World Climate Action Summit on Transforming Climate Finance last December 1. The Summit was hosted by this year’s United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
In the same event, former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed was also appointed as the first Secretary-General of the CVF, following the announcement of an independent Secretariat who will be responsible for operations of the CVF and the Vulnerable 20 (V20) Group of Finance Ministers, including providing technical expertise and support services. The decision to establish an independent Secretariat was made during the 11th V20 Ministerial meeting in September this year.
“More than ever, we need solidarity. There are two major elephants in the room: First is keeping warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, the second is finance,” said Barbados Prime Minister and incoming CVF Chair Mia Amor Mottley in a COP28 side event about stocktaking reforms in the international financial architecture on December 2.
The CVF and V20 also co-organized a side event on the Global Shield against Climate Risks the same day, highlighting the importance of protecting vulnerable countries and communities from climate- and disaster-related risks.
In response, Angelo Kairos Dela Cruz, Executive Director of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) said:
“ICSC congratulates the CVF and V20 for the significant milestones shared at COP28 this year. Passing the baton to Barbados and the establishment of its independent Secretariat signifies strong political will to advance bold, ambitious climate action and reforms in the international financial climate architecture. The world needs immense ambition and urgency from governments, now more than ever, to ensure that people and communities survive and thrive. We cannot afford to be passive anymore.
“The scientific community, for years, warned us that increased global warming to mean temperatures that are far beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius will lead to massive economic losses, losses that have already been incurred by climate-vulnerable countries for decades. Climate finance should never be discussed away from science, it is important that reforms and negotiations on finance are guided by evidence to ensure proper allocation to those who need it most. We, in ICSC, firmly believe that the CVF and V20 will play an even greater part in advancing these issues at the global negotiations to urge other countries to deliver their fair share proactively.
“We uphold the vision and objectives of the Global Shield against Climate Risks in prioritizing risk management and protection in developing countries, who continue to be exposed to the worsening impacts of climate change. We are glad to see continued progress, but the next step now is to strengthen country ownership and create local and regional markets to ensure that the needs of the world’s most vulnerable are heard and integrated. Transparency and accountability in climate finance allocation and utilization is also crucial. We trust that the CVF and V20 will be proactive in pursuing development-positive climate action worldwide, and we at ICSC commit our full support.”
ABOUT
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities is a climate and energy policy group based in the Philippines, promoting climate resilience and low carbon development.
CONTACT
Ira Guerrero (Dubai): ira@icsc.ngo, +63 917 149 5649
Sanaf Marcelo (Philippines): media@icsc.ngo, +63 968 886 3466
###