Statement by Hon. Mr. Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu
CVF Forum of Vulnerable Nations at Pre-COP
4 October 2022
Excellencies, Esteemed Guests and fellow participants,
I deliver this statement on behalf of the CVF Thematic Ambassadors, in my own capacity as Thematic Ambassador for Renewable Energy.
I am honored to be here today with you, the leaders of climate vulnerable nations. The climate crisis is the most pressing challenge of our time, and we must work together to find solutions.
The CVF is an important forum for the Climate Vulnerable countries. Since 2009, the CVF has joined together countries that were historically disconnected from global climate talks, and has brought them into the fold through an agenda that reflects their needs and priorities.
Our CVF ambassadors have been instrumental to increase the visibility of the CVF and to further promote its key priorities and messages. The Thematic Ambassadors’ mandate is to help increase outreach, networking, communications and engagement of key actors for this forum of 55 climate threatened nations to advance its causes in the identified core areas of Ambition, led by H.E. Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, former President of the Maldives, Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Parliaments led by H.E. Ms. Loren Legarda, Deputy Speaker of the Philippines House of Representatives, Vulnerability led by H.E. Ms. Saima Wazed Hossain, International Focal Point of the Advisory Group on Disability and Disaster Risk Management of the Ministry of Disaster Management of Bangladesh, Culture led by H.E. Ms. Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner, Climate Envoy for the Marshall Islands and CVF Thematic Ambassador, and finally myself leading as CVF Thematic Ambassador for Renewable Energy.
We need to make sure that we are making progress on issues that matter to the most climate-vulnerable countries and communities. We must ensure that there is funding available for our adaptation efforts, as well as the mitigation projects designed specifically for our regions.
We cannot separate ourselves from our environment, so when we talk about climate change, we are talking about an issue that affects everyone on this planet. We are not all affected equally, and it is our communities that will suffer the most from its impacts. This year, the effects of climate change have been particularly felt across the world — from droughts and wildfires, to sea level rise and flooding across our coastal areas — and unfortunately, these effects are leading to strains on our communities’ resilience to adapt.
The window to protect the 1.5-degree goal of Paris narrowing, the Climate Vulnerable Forum strives to fully implement the CVF Vision 100% Renewable Energy target through a “just transition” approach towards environmentally sustainable livelihoods emphasizing to protect ecosystems and vulnerable countries. As we rebuild our economies and communities, renewable energy must be part of building back stronger to fully eliminate poverty, enable job opportunities and build more resilient communities through low-carbon economies.
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it is imperative that we take action to mitigate and adapt to its effects through concerted and focused efforts. Every step that we take to bring down global emissions is a step in the right direction for future generations.
There is a renewed urgency among world leaders and the people of the earth to take action and we must harness this momentum to drive change. We must not lose sight of the fact that we can, and will triumph over this challenge.
I am confident that, together, we can build a more sustainable future for our planet.
On behalf of all the CVF thematic ambassadors I thank you for your participation today and your continued support of the Forum.
Thank you.
Download: Statement Hon. Mr. Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu – Forum of Vulnerable Nations