The COP28 and COP29 Presidencies along with the World Food Programme (WFP), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) convened partners in Rome last week to mobilise actors on climate action and finance in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) ahead of COP29 this year. The two-day high-level meeting highlighted the need for climate finance in FCAS, and the pivotal juncture that COP29 presents in this effort. Participants spoke of the need to continue to build on the momentum generated by the COP28 Relief, Recovery & Peace Declaration, to galvanise international support and financial commitments for sustainable development and climate adaptation in these contexts.
Many REAP partners attended the event, as well as one member of the REAP Secretariat. In addition to participating in the workshop on behalf of the Partnership, the Secretariat was pleased to accompany a delegation from the Office of the Prime Minister of Somalia. Somalia is a crucial partner of REAP, as well as a leading advocate in the Early Warning and Early Action space.
Speaking on a panel during the event, Mr Abdikahim Ainte, who has recently been appointed as Director of Food Security and Climate Change at the Office of the Prime Minister, emphasised the inadequacy of current humanitarian response-dominated approaches to food insecurity and drought in Somalia. Highlighting the limitations of a reactive approach which only provides temporary relief and perpetuates dependency, Mr Ainte called for a shift towards building climate resilience; enhancing the capacities of both government and communities to address the root causes of crises; as well as to mitigate, anticipate and respond to climatic shocks. Mr Ainte underscored the importance of investing in sustainable water management, climate-smart agriculture and community-led development, noting that this proactive approach not only mitigates the immediate impacts of shocks but also fosters longer-term resilience and systems building.
Mr. Ainte called for open and transparent partnerships between Somalia and international partners, emphasising the need for mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision for a resilient future. These partnerships are crucial for pooling resources, knowledge, and expertise to develop culturally appropriate and scientifically sound strategies.
To address the critical issues of food security and drought, Mr. Ainte identified three key gaps: funding, partnerships, and knowledge. There is a need for more reliable and long-term financial commitments; inclusive partnerships that prioritise local leadership; and enhanced investment in research and data collection to understand climate impacts.
Mr Ainte stressed the importance of consistent funding, stronger partnerships, and significant investment in knowledge and capacity development to build a resilient Somalia capable of adapting to the challenges of climate change. An active ambassador for Early Warning, Early Action and the REAP partnership, he noted that the Getting Ahead of Disasters Charter presents a practical way forward in addressing these issues, offering a comprehensive framework to enhance preparedness, reduce vulnerabilities, and foster resilience against future climatic shocks.
Mr Ainte also met with Italy’s Special Envoy for Climate Change – Mr Francesco Corvaro – to discuss the G7’s role in increasing access to climate finance and support in the context of Somalia.