Baku - The Vice-President of Angola, Esperança da Costa, on Tuesday in Azerbaijan stressed the need to increase funding so that the international carbon markets work for everyone.
The Vice-President, who was speaking at the opening of the COP 29 High Level Summit, called for the creation of mechanisms to monitor and ensure that the promised funds are allocated, as well as fully operational the Loss and Damage Fund.
Esperança da Costa pointed to the need to create simplified and efficient access mechanisms for financing developing countries, which are most affected by climate impacts.
According to the Vice-President, Angola, like other countries in the African region, is facing various challenges generated by the significant impact of climate change.
The Angolan representative added that the National Climate Change Strategy 2022-2035 integrates cross-cutting issues into ongoing policies, as well as funding, improving research, observation and analysis of climate scenarios, in order to identify the multiple dangers and share data to respond to the different problems linked to the situation, including forced migration.
Esperança da Costa stressed that drought and desertification in southwest Angola remained the government's main concern, as it has a negative impact on communities and development programs.
The Angolan Vice-President explained that the country continues to implement the Program to Combat the Effects of Drought in the Southern Region, with the construction of new dams to promote agricultural and livestock development, strengthening food security and making communities more resilient.
Esperança da Costa added that the National Plan to adapt to climate change is underway and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2025 is being revised, which will focus on the Transport and Energy sectors.
The Vice-President highlighted the efforts to strengthen the national energy matrix with renewable energies, currently contributing 66% of energy from photovoltaic and hydroelectric projects, which she plans to increase to 72% by the end of 2027, reflecting the commitment to tackling pollution, reducing emissions and promoting a transition to a low-carbon economy.
Esperança da Costa said that expectations cannot be met with tensions and conflicts emerging in the international context, so there is a need to increase commitments to stability and to the Pact for the Future.
This pact, adopted at the United Nations Summit, aims to build a better future and reduce the climate crisis, hunger and poverty by promoting better food systems, a low-emissions economy, gender equality, education, innovation and peace as new decisions and a legacy for new generations. FMA/SC/AMP
