Statement by Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration

Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Presidency Handover Ceremony

Statement by Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration

Ghana 

25 May 2022

 H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana,

H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh,

Mr. Ban Ki Moon, Former UN Secretary-General, Board Chair of the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA),

My Colleague Ministers of Finance and Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation,

The Chief Executive Officer of the GCA, 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour and my utmost pleasure to deliver these remarks as Ghana takes over the baton for the Presidency of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).

Leadership of the CVF is both a privilege and responsibility of great importance. The task ahead, has become more pressing, with reversals on the climate agenda due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The perfect storm of the triple C crises – climate, COVID-19 and conflict – would test our best efforts as we seek to recover from economic and other shocks, and to meet our targets in this Decade of Action and Delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We meet as the effects of climate change are being experienced in profound ways all over the world. We are all witnesses to the unusual weather patterns that threaten the lives and livelihoods of people and our tireless efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. What we observe is confirmed by latest data as an of indication of irreversible climate change. These are red signals, which we can no longer afford to disregard. We must adhere to the various global commitments, if we are to successfully limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Like other members of this forum, Ghana is highly susceptible to climate variability and change. That has far-reaching implications for national development. The rest of the continent of Africa is similarly affected, making the continent the most vulnerable to the adverse impact of climate change within the UNFCCC.

As it was highlighted at the workshop preceding this handing over ceremony, the major factors contributing to extreme poverty and hunger on the African continent include climate change and disruptions from climate variability, as well as conflicts, instability, and economic crises. Indeed, the conflicts, instability and economic crises are sometimes triggered or compounded by the impact of climate change. We need to make every effort to put all these issues high on the agenda for our engagements.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are convinced that the CVF is an excellent vehicle for advocating and accelerating action for the required adaptation financing of our Member States to address the challenges of climate change. It has our full support.

As we recognize and appreciate the great efforts made by previous leaders of the CVF, let me use this opportunity to congratulate Bangladesh on their successful tenure, during which they established the ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’. It is my fervent hope that the Plan will serve as a shining example for all CVF Members to move from vulnerability to resilience and prosperity.

Distinguished guests,

COP 27 beckons. We must use every opportunity of the Pre-COPs, the 2022 Oceans Conference, Stockholm +50 and other related meetings, to gather momentum and consolidate our demands.  The projection by developed countries that they are unable to meet the indicated pledge until 2023 is a matter of deep concern and disappointment. It will be three years late and woefully inadequate. The grim picture painted by the most recent IPCC report should spur us on to push, in every way possible, for the delivery of the promise of $100 billion a year, to help poorer countries deal with climate change.

Finally, in view of the urgency of achieving the aspirations of our group of Climate Vulnerable countries, Ghana takes its leadership of the CVF at this time very seriously. We look forward to working closely with the Trioka and the membership of the CVF, towards the realization of the set objectives of the Forum.

I thank you for your attention.

Statement by Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration