Civil society leaders from South Asia's Most Vulnerable Countries (MVCs) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) gathered at the CoP 29 Climate Conference in Baku to urge developed nations to take decisive action on climate change.
At the conference session titled “LDCs & MVCs Peoples’ Expectations and CoP 29,” these leaders called for an end to fossil fuel dependency and demanded that wealthier nations allocate a percentage of their Gross National Income (GNI) toward a New Collective and Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance covering the period from 2025 to 2030.
In a keynote address, Aminul Hoque of EquityBD, Bangladesh, criticized current climate finance proposals, describing them as “vague” and inadequate to meet the needs of the MVCs and LDCs. He specifically targeted the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF), a concept under discussion at CoP 29, arguing that such measures merely distract from the more substantial commitments needed. Hoque highlighted the importance of concrete and sustained climate finance and mitigation efforts for the upcoming decade, pointing out that this was crucial for the MVCs and LDCs to effectively combat climate impacts.
Hoque outlined several demands, including a ten-year commitment from developed nations to both mitigation and financial support, as well as a political declaration by major emitters to begin phasing out coal and fossil fuel power plants by 2040, with specific plans to be reflected in the next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) update in 2025. Hoque also advocated for reforming the current climate finance system, which he described as debt-driven and unfair to vulnerable nations. He argued for NCQG funding derived from a portion of developed countries’ GNI, specifically earmarked for adaptation, mitigation, and capacity-building for MVCs and LDCs.
During the session, other regional leaders expressed additional concerns. Thailk Kariyawasan from Sri Lanka warned that the world experienced record temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least 86 days this year, underscoring the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels. Kariyawasan urged CoP 29 to set a clear timeline for this transition and ensure that such measures are included in the next NDC update.
Mrs. Tetet Neura Lauron of the Philippines criticized the growing dependence on private sector funding within the climate finance system, calling for a public finance approach that prioritizes the Common but Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR) principle. She argued that such a system, rooted in public interests, is essential for achieving a just transition and limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Concerns over food security were raised by Mr. Mrityunjoy from Bangladesh, who highlighted the impact of climate change on the 300 million people globally facing food insecurity. He called for aligning climate goals with biodiversity commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Protocol and advocated for redirecting oil subsidies to fund climate action.
Soumya Datta from India expressed disappointment over Azerbaijan’s current climate policies, warning that the host country may miss an opportunity to lead by example. He urged global leaders not to repeat past mistakes and to approach the CoP 29 negotiations with a genuine commitment to impactful climate action.
As CoP 29 proceeds, these civil society leaders continue to emphasize the need for developed nations to fulfill their climate responsibilities, pushing for concrete commitments to protect the planet and its most vulnerable populations.
