ADDIS ABABA – A high-level Somali delegation, led by the Executive Director of the Somali National Climate Change Fund, Liban Adan Obsiye, has participated in the African Climate Finance Conference in Ethiopia. The delegation’s attendance underscores Somalia’s commitment to addressing climate change and securing crucial financial resources to mitigate its impacts.
During the conference, Obsiye highlighted the importance of national leadership and coordination in ensuring the success of climate finance initiatives. He detailed the establishment of the new Somali Climate Finance System, a landmark initiative created by presidential decree last year and managed by the National Climate Change Fund under the Ministry of Finance.
In a special session dedicated to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Platforms, Obsiye stressed the need for Africa to have accredited national institutions to effectively utilize national systems and reduce implementation costs. He pointed out that despite Africa being the most vulnerable continent to climate change, it faces significant challenges in accessing climate finance.
To overcome these hurdles, Obsiye emphasized that governments must integrate climate finance into their national economic strategies, and focus on planning their budget, increasing internal revenue, and ensuring efficient government spending. He also held important meetings with leaders from the World Green Climate Fund and other financial institutions, with a focus on strengthening partnerships and securing funding for Somalia’s climate adaptation efforts.
