Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset let me congratulate and extend our appreciation to the World Meteorological Organization and other partners for this initiative. The initiative is timely to support the Least Developed Countries, who are among the world’s most vulnerable and continue to suffer from climate impacts given our constraints and limited capacities. Any new wave of shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, stretches our existing vulnerabilities.
The persisting weather and climate data gaps in our countries are increasing our challenges to act effectively and proactively on adaptation and building resilience. These issues have been regularly highlighted in various events and in LDCs submissions. Closing the gap in providing essential weather and climate observations in our countries is a priority and requires dedicated, predictable and long-term financial and technical support.
We strongly welcome the international efforts for the creation of the Systematic Observations Financing Facility. We urge the international community to mobilize the resources required for its speedy establishment.
Finally, we strongly welcome the global call by the Incoming COP26 Presidency to increase the level of grant finance to support the most vulnerable. Therefore, we are looking forward to a successful and ambitious outcome of the SOFF Funders’ Forum, so that the SOFF can be announced at the COP 26 – for the benefit of all of us.
Thank you.
