United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative Fenella Frost has called for investment in climate resilience, warning that erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts and pest infestations continue to threaten Malawi’s economic stability.
In her remarks during the Post-CoP29 National Climate Change Symposium in Lilongwe last week, she said the challenges undermine the implementation of Malawi 2063, the country’s long-term development strategy.
“Malawi must take a strategic approach to ensure investment in key areas such as capacity building for resource mobilisation and utilisation,” said Frost.
British High Commissioner Fiona Ritchie said donor fatigue and aid freezes require Malawi to rethink its approach to climate financing.
“Public finance will not suffice, especially in a world with constrained foreign aid. Private financing will be key to freeing up resources to invest in Malawi’s resilience to climate change,” she said.
Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Owen Chomanika reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing climate funds through strategic partnerships.
The calls for alternative financing models come as Malawi and other Least Developed Countries (LDCs) struggle to secure adequate funding for climate adaptation.
At CoP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan in November last, Malawi and fellow LDCs requested $1 trillion in climate financing.
