As prepared for delivery

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,  

Let me begin by thanking the COP29 Presidency for convening this vital event. It's a privilege to represent UNDP and join this important dialogue. 

We gather here in Belem at a pivotal moment. The world has entered a new era of uncertainty and risks that are shaped by the climate emergency and global insecurities. While a majority of countries most vulnerable to climate change are also the most fragile, these countries have disproportionately less access to climate finance and limited capacity to manage these risks.   

UNDP has been working to ensure that climate finance is effectively targeted to where it is needed most. Over the last three years, UNDP has provided technical support to more than 30 countries affected by climate, conflict and fragility by. This includes Climate and Peace Hubs in northwest Nigeria to foster conflict sensitive and climate resilient livelihoods, support for women peacemakers in Papua New Guinea, and climate-resilient livelihoods for widowed women-headed households and the reintegration of ex-combatants in the Philippines.   

Together with DPPA, UNEP and DPO - under the Climate Security Mechanism (CSM) - UNDP is accelerating joint action. We support 16 field initiatives; with 10 climate, peace and security advisors helping governments reduce climate stressors that threaten stability. 

We are also striving to advance the agenda within the UNFCCC process and with partners. From the COP27 Presidency’s “Climate Responses for Sustaining Peace” initiative to the COP28 Presidency’s “Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery, and Peace,” and now our partnership with the COP29 Presidency’s Baku Hub and Network.  

Through the Climate, Peace and Security Expert Academy developed together with COP27 Presidency, CCCPA and the Baku Hub, UNDP has trained more than 245 policymakers, climate negotiators, youth leaders and policy experts from 80+ different countries, including fragile and conflict-affected settings on strengthened climate policies and financing for sustaining peace.  

All of this is grounded in the cornerstone of UNDP’s climate work - our Climate Promise, helping 90% of developing countries deliver on the Paris Agreement.  

We have seen that strong NDCs can be a blueprint for development and peace.  Since 2017, we have supported 50 fragile and conflict-affected countries to advance their Nationally Determined Contributions, linking targets and plans to security and stability.   

As we enter an era of implementation, we are working in response to the call from the UN Secretary-General to scale up UN Systemwide support to NDC implementation.  It becomes even more important to support locally driven climate action and stronger alignment with the SDGs.  We also support the COP30 President’s call for a Mutirao, integrated solutions, which can strengthen local institutions and social capital – key foundations of peace.  We welcome the leadership of the Baku Hub in advancing this agenda, and UNDP stands ready to accelerate peace-positive climate action with you all. 

Thank you.