Nezha Alaoui M’Hammedi, the Moroccan Ambassador to Ethiopia, hosted a significant event at the Moroccan residence, focusing on enhancing climate finance initiatives in Africa during the African Climate Summit.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador M’Hammedi emphasized the importance of collaboration, particularly regarding the Congo Basin, a vital area for climate stability. She highlighted the initiative launched by King Mohammed VI, which aims to mobilize resources through the Blue Fund dedicated to the Congo Basin. This fund is designed to support sustainable development and address pressing climate challenges in the region.
The Ambassador articulated that this initiative reflects Morocco’s commitment to climate change adaptation, especially concerning the unique challenges faced by African nations. She noted that increased cooperation among countries could significantly enhance efforts in energy transition and sustainable development.
During the event, the Ambassador praised King Mohammed VI’s support for the Congo Basin Climate Initiative. She underscored the crucial role that French-speaking African countries can play in accessing climate finance, which is vital for addressing their specific climate challenges.
Arlette Soudan-Nonault, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Congo, along with other dignitaries, expressed gratitude for the Moroccan initiative, recognizing it as a distinguished model for collaboration across the African continent.
The Minister delivered a compelling speech, highlighting the critical role of the Congo Basin as a “continent of solutions” to the global climate crisis. She explained that Congo’s forests sequester 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually and that its peatlands, with the aid of international research, contain 31 billion tons of CO2, far exceeding previous estimates.
The gathering served as a platform to discuss the critical role of climate finance in mobilizing resources for sustainable development. Participants emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue and cooperation to effectively tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
This initiative aims not only to strengthen partnerships between Morocco and the Democratic Republic of the Congo but also to establish a broader framework for climate action across Francophone African nations. The event concluded with a commitment to advancing these discussions ahead of the upcoming COP summit, ensuring that Africa’s voice is represented in global climate negotiations.
Nefertiti Mushiya Tshibanda, Permanent Representative of the World Organization of French Speakers (OIF) to the African Union and UNECA, highlighted the OIF’s long-standing efforts since 1988 to support French-speaking countries in accessing climate finance and implementing tailored solutions. She emphasized that the initiative will particularly empower women and young entrepreneurs by enhancing capacity and promoting innovation.
