LoCAL Ministers recognised the need to provide political guidance and high-level leadership for efforts on locally-led adaptation action in climate-vulnerable countries, particularly in the least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDs), and Africa. Six ministers from Local Climate Adaptation Living Facility (LoCAL) countries met on the side-lines of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26), which currently coming to a close in Glasgow, Scotland.

Hon. Lamin B. Dibba, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, The Gambia, interviewed Live by Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons on Nov. 10 @ COP26 ©UNCDF-LoCAL Photo: Sarah Harris Simpson 2021

At a special meeting after negotiations on Thursday evening, ministers welcomed with appreciation the financial commitment from the Kingdom of Belgium of US$ 13 million for LoCAL actions announced at COP26. They also acknowledged the continued support from the European Union and Government of Sweden for their ongoing and sustained funding for the LoCAL Facility alongside the governments of Italy, Korea, Switzerland and Catalonia.

The LoCAL Ministers acknowledged the call for ambition on action and implementation by COP26 President the Rt. Hon. Alok Sharma, to address the adverse impacts of climate change.

Ministers also acknowledged the recognition of the role of adaptation planning that urges countries to further integrate adaptation into local, national and regional planning as included on the covering decision of COP26. Further, they recognised the guidance to the Green Climate Fund’s call to consider improving direct access for local actors. Following these decisions, the LoCAL Ministers encourage the LoCAL Facility to continue working with LoCAL countries towards implementation.

The LoCAL Ministers welcomed contributions made to the Adaptation Fund, the Least Developed Countries Fund, and the pledges from developed countries to double adaptation financing. Recalling the LoCAL Ministerial Declaration of earlier this year, the Ministers urged the LoCAL Facility to work with the funds to close the adaptation financing gap and further engage with UNFCCC financial mechanisms to facilitate enhanced direct access for locally-led adaptation.

The recent recognition of the LoCAL Facility under the UNFCCC was also welcomed by ministers, including the technical guideline for local implementation of adaptation and a tool for resource mobilisation by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group and the Adaptation Committee. In addition, the Standing Committee of Finance (SCF)’s recognition of LoCAL as one of the national systems for tracking and spending climate finance, was also welcomed, confirming that the LoCAL Facility is aligned with and supports the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

The LoCAL Ministers agreed to hold similar meetings on an annual basis in conjunction with the Conference of the Parties sessions starting from COP27, which will take place in Egypt in 2022.

Hon. Mr. Pearnel Charles Jr. Minister of Housing Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Jamaica, interviewed live by Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons on Nov. 12 @ COP26 ©UNCDF-LoCAL Photo: Sarah Harris Simpson 2021