COP26 Regional Ambassador Middle East and Africa pays virtual visit to Mozambique

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COP26 Regional Ambassador Middle East and Africa pays virtual visit to Mozambique

8:48 CAT | 13 May 2021

Photo courtesy: British High Commission Maputo

The COP26 Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and Africa virtually visited Mozambique 10-12 May ahead of COP26

In six months the UK will host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, working with countries to reach agreement on how to tackle climate change.

From 10 to 12 May the British High Commission in Maputo welcomed Janet Rogan, COP26 Regional Ambassador Middle East and Africa, for a virtual visit. This involved a series of discussions on climate challenges and solutions with the Government of Mozambique, development partners, private sector and Mozambican youth.

COP26 Regional Ambassador Janet Rogan’s visit to Mozambique addressed the country’s climate vulnerability but also the extensive opportunities within the green sector. The Ambassador had meetings with the Minister of Economy & Finance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Land and Environment where they discussed Mozambique’s aspirations for COP26, strengthening Mozambique’s resilience to climate change and emerging opportunities within the green sector, particularly in the context of a green recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Engagement with the private sector and civil society in Mozambique were important items on the COP26 Regional Ambassador’s agenda. Janet Rogan met with 15 UK-affiliated companies operating in Mozambique and discussed opportunities for green growth with a particular focus on renewables, climate smart agriculture, resilient infrastructure and biodiversity. She also held a roundtable meeting with young Mozambican climate action change makers to hear of their challenges, Mozambican-led solutions and aspirations for COP26.

Commenting on her visit, Janet said:

‘’As one of the most climate vulnerable and least developed countries in the world, designing a green, resilient and sustainable pathway to transform Mozambique’s socio-economic status requires collaboration between government, private sector and communities. COP26 must reach global outcomes that support this collaboration with better access to finance for the least developed countries and emerging economies, creating the right conditions for investment, and fully engaging communities in decisions about their future. In Mozambique, I saw that the private sector, youth, civil society, government and development partners, including the UK, are energetically committed to resilient climate and development action. I encourage Mozambique to submit its revised NDC and Long Term Strategy as soon as possible; to consider submitting a standalone Adaptation Communication to set out at the most strategic level the country’s key adaptation priorities and needs; and to consider joining the Adaptation Action Coalition. And I reiterate the UK’s commitment to partnering with Mozambique to enhance its adaptation and resilience, access to climate finance, energy transition, and leadership on nature.”

Ahead of COP26 and beyond, the UK is supporting Mozambique’s climate ambitions in 4 key areas:

Clean energy initiatives

Technical support

Adaptation

Financial Mechanisms.

The UK partners with countries like Mozambique, on the front line of the impacts of climate change to enhance their climate capacity and actions. The UK-Mozambique partnership helps to promote adaptation, forestry restoration, marine conservation and take appropriate measures to combat deforestation and land use both directly through the UK government and UK contributions to multilaterals. The Climate Investment Funds has delivered $118m ($53m of which from the UK) to support forest and land use programmes including through the Forest Investment Programme.

In November the UK will host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UK is committed to working with Mozambique to enhance its access to international climate finance to support climate-resilient infrastructures that will enable people to access water, sanitation and nutrition services, access to clean energy, and climate resilient agriculture.

The World Bank has described Mozambique as holding the strongest potential to be the largest growth frontier for the southern African region over the next decade. However, Mozambique is also 180th out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index, and one of the most vulnerable to climate change. As part of the UK COP26 Presidency, the UK is committed to addressing the connected challenges of climate change and development.

Source: British High Commission Maputo / Press Release