Informative session on Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub

This year marks the 70^th anniversary of the formation of the Commonwealth and the 2019 theme is ‘A Connected Commonwealth’.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and Chair of the CFAH Steering Committee, Mr Jaganathan Rangan; the British High Commissioner to Mauritius, Mr Keith Allan; the Australian High Commission to Mauritius, Ms Jenny Dee, and other personalities were present at the event.  The General Manager of the CFAH, Mr Bilal Anwar, gave a presentation on the achievements of the Hub on that occasion.

In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary Rangan spoke about the challenges posed by climate change and emphasised that it is crucial for each and every one to meaningfully bring in their contribution to address this alarming issue.

The CFAH, he recalled, was established in Mauritius in 2016 to help unlock climate finance for urgent adaptation and mitigation actions in small States and least developed countries that are climatically vulnerable.  To this end, he expressed gratitude to the Australian and British Governments for their contributions and commitments towards the Hub.

For his part, British High Commissioner Allan pointed out that it is important to take stock of the progress made by the CFAH as it endeavours to support countries in mobilising finance for their actions on climate change.  With regard to the involvement of Commonwealth countries in protecting the ocean, he referred to the Commonwealth Blue Charter, which is the agreement of all 53 Commonwealth countries to actively cooperate to solve ocean-related problems.

Mr Keith also conveyed the message of the Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, to mark Commonwealth Day 2019.

As for the High Commissioner of Australia, she expressed her appreciation to the Government for hosting the CFAH in Mauritius.  At the celebration of the 70^th anniversary of the Commonwealth this year, she highlighted, it is essential that Member States work collaboratively with common ideals for sustainable and inclusive development.  Ms Dee reiterated Australia’s strong commitment in addressing climate challenges and supporting the CFAH.

Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub

Over its two years of operation, the CFAH has provided technical assistance and capacity building support services to some climatically vulnerable countries through the deployment of National Climate Finance Advisers.  It has extended assistance to nine countries in the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions.

A total of 31 climate change projects are already in the pipeline in beneficiary countries; a total of some 19 Million GBP of climate finance has already been mobilised in countries through different projects; and around 285 Million GBP of climate finance is currently in the pipeline.