Tonga represented at the first Inaugural Meeting of the Climate Finance Access Hub Steering Committee in Port Louis, Mauritius, 7-8 December 2016.

H.E Susan Coles (middle) Australian High Commissoner to Mauritius and officials from Commonwealth countries at the first CFAH Steering Committee, Port Louis, Mauritius
H.E Susan Coles (middle) Australian High Commissoner to Mauritius and officials from Commonwealth countries at the first CFAH Steering Committee, Port Louis, Mauritius

The Commonwealth’s Climate Finance Access Hub is a valuable instrument for the realisation and implementation of the Paris agreement on climate change and the internationally agreed sustainable development goals- the government of Mauritius has stated.

Speaking at the steering committee meeting of the Hub, Hon. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, the Acting Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius, praised the Commonwealth initiative which will help climate-vulnerable countries access pledged funds for climate action, including the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga.

Mr Gayan in his remarks stated that ‘Climate change, poses an existential threat to small island developing states”. He added that ‘Its impacts are already being felt with dire economic consequences that cannot be left unattended’.

Chaired by Mauritius, which is assisting to finance the Hub, the inaugural meeting was attended by officials from across the Commonwealth, both from countries that are contributing to the Hub and those that hope to benefit from it. Her Excellency Hon. Susan Coles – Australia High commissioner to Mauritius, represented Australia, a major donor. ‘Ofa Ma’asi Kaisamy from MEIDECC/Department of Climate Change represented the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga and Andrea Jacobs represented the Department of Environment of Antigua- both countries have applied for assistance from the hub. Currently fourteen Commonwealth countries have requested support. The first national advisor will begin work in Antigua and Barbuda in January 2017.

“There is a huge demand for support from this initiative. It is clear that our members recognise its critical importance in boosting human and institutional resources to untangle the red tape countries face to access money already pledged for climate action. Ultimately, our aim is to help them adapt to the impacts of climate change, transition to low carbon economies and attain the sustainable development goals,” said Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Deodat Maharaj.

He added: “I am very pleased that things are moving swiftly. Since signing a hosting agreement with Mauritius in September, we have recruited an experienced manager, received guidance from a steering committee and will have advisors on the ground in very early January.”

Hub manager Bilal Anwar said the conclusion of the first meeting of the steering committee is an important milestone. “We now have a clear vision for the activities of the next year. By laying out the fundamental elements of the Hub’s operations the Committee gave us the roadmap to proceed with its capacity support to Commonwealth climate-vulnerable countries.”

L-R Dr. Denny Lewis from the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, Mrs Ofa Kaisamy from the Kingdom of Tonga, Ms. Andrea Jacobs from Government of Antigua and CEO for Ministry of Environment Mauritius and officials during the opening ceremony
L-R Dr. Denny Lewis from the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, Mrs Ofa Kaisamy from the Kingdom of Tonga, Ms. Andrea Jacobs from Government of Antigua and CEO for Ministry of Environment Mauritius and officials during the opening ceremony

END

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications