LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Natural Resources and Climate Change Minister Eisenhower Mkaka on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 admits in difficulties to access Green Climate Fund (GCF) for government adaptation programs.
Mkaka however said the ministry was in talks with GCF financiers to review proposal guidelines that list developing nations including Malawi have access to the funds.
The minister was speaking during a media engagement on Malawi’s participation at the upcoming 27th Conference of Parties (CoP27) slated for November in Egypt.
This comes as Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) and other groupings are grappling to tap resources from GFC due to guidelines’ complexity.
“It’s not only CSOs having difficulties in access GCF resource but also government. We are currently talking with GCF financiers to review guidelines that the local sector must access the resources easily.
“However, for CSOs to access GCF resources are supposed to pass through the ministry that their programs must be aligned with what Malawi government is implementing, ” says Mkaka.
According to the minister Malawi needs US$46.5 billion to implement climate change impact management activities.
Mkaka said about a quarter of the amount will be funded locally and the rest depends on donor support.
He decried challenges developing countries have been facing to access funds from developed members of the United Nations Congress on Climate Change.
“Apart from non-governmental organisations, countries have found it very difficult to access these funds. We have been talking with international partners to have them revise processes and requirements for applications since they have proved to be a stumbling block,” he added.
Mkaka said at CoP27, Malawi will be following up on financial pledges that were made by country parties at CoP26 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Some of the pledges include the US$350 million which was made towards the Adaptation Fund and $600 million which was promised to Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
If fulfilled, Mkaka said, the pledges would help countries like Malawi strengthen the resilience of their vulnerable communities to effects of climate change.
Echoing the same during the presser, Egypt Ambassador to Malawi Mahomed Elsharif said the conference provides an opportunity for Malawi and other nations to reaffirm their commitment to the global climate agenda.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Malawi Maria Do Valle Ribeiro said time has come to “focus on critical issues surrounding matters of climate change” and greenhouse emissions which, she said, continue to negatively affect lives.
CoP27 will be held in the Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh from November 6 to 18 2022.
President Lazarus Chakwera is also expected to lead Malawi delegation to CoP27.
