By Dumbani Mzale
NEW YORK-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera says Least Development Countries (LDCs) like Malawi need increased tailor-made support to propel their climate change resilience and financing mechanisms that are grounded in science.
Chakwera made the call on Thursday during a leaders’ dialogue on climate adaptation action in Africa, on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
He told the dialogue that Malawi exemplifies the struggles of LDCs in Africa as the country is also grappling with the severe aftermath of extreme weather events such as floods, which are destroying crops and homes, and droughts that leave the fields barren.
Chakwera (R) interacts with for UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the event
The President added that such hostile weather shocks are also usually associated with unpredictable rainfall that disrupts agricultural cycles, jeopardising food and water security, stunting economic growth, and inflating adaptation costs—despite the country’s minimal contribution to global emissions.
He said in view of such perilous situations, adaptation and resilience are urgent imperatives for Africa.
“While global efforts to cap warming at 1.5°C are crucial, we cannot overlook the need to bolster climate resilience in African nations. This calls for increased support, unwavering commitments, and strengthened collaboration,” he said.
The Malawi leader, thereafter, urged other vulnerable LDCs to climate change shock to consider developing national adaptation plans, which he said are pivotal to achieving climate resilience.
Telling a Malawi story, Chakwera said through the National Adaptation Programmes of Action, Malawi has executed small-scale projects addressing immediate adaptation needs, and are yielding promising results.
He said Malawi has been fortunate to receive readiness support from the Green Climate Fund for advancing NAP formulation.
Chakwera added that LDCs need more financing mechanisms in form of public finance, predominantly in terms of grants, which he said is essential for addressing climate change-induced loss and damage, propelling mitigation efforts, and steering adaptation actions.
The Leaders’ Dialogue on Climate Adaptation Action in Africa is an event that resulted in a high-level communique that confirmed adaptation as a priority for the continent.
