The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is hosting the 46th meeting of the UNFCCC Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG), from 19 to 22 August 2024, in Addis Ababa.

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The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is hosting the 46th meeting of the UNFCCC Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG), from 19 to 22 August 2024, in Addis Ababa.

The meeting is organized by the UNFCCC secretariat and held at the UNECA Conference Center.

August 21, 2024- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (MoPD)

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is hosting the 46th meeting of the UNFCCC Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG), from 19 to 22 August 2024, in Addis Ababa.

The meeting is organized by the UNFCCC secretariat and held at the UNECA Conference Center Over the past three days, the LEG has been conducting its closed meetings, and today, 21 August 2021, the official opening and the beginning of the open meeting was conducted . The session was opened by H.E. Ato Seyoum Mekonnen, State Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Development, with a key note address from Dr. Paul Desanker from the UNFCCC Secretariat, Dr. Linus Mofor, Senior Environmental Affairs Officer, UNECA ; Mr. Gabriel Kapaka, Chair of the LDC Expert Group, Mr. Evans Njewa, Chair of the LDC Group under the UNFCCC. The meeting is attended by the LEG members and representatives of various organizations that actively provide or facilitate access to technical and financial support to the LDCs and representatives of Government sector ministries.

Established under the UNFCCC in 2001, the primary responsibility of the Group is to assist the least developed countries (LDCs) to effectively address climate change, particularly regarding adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change. Top on the agenda of the group's deliberations are ways to assist all the LDCs to have in place their national adaptation plans (NAPs), and in accessing funding and other support to implement the adaptation priorities identified in those. Additionally, the group is updating the technical guidelines for the preparation and implementation of the NAPs considering latest developments in global policy landscape, science, and technology.

Since the process to formulate and implement NAPs was established in 2010, along with the subsequent technical guidance and financial arrangements, only 22 of the 45 LDCs have successfully produced a NAP. “This lack of progress is concerning, given that all countries are expected to have their NAPs in place by 2025 and to show significant progress in implementation by 2030. The LEG continues to provide technical guidance and support to the LDCs, which includes the development of guidelines, facilitating access to climate data and information, and facilitating access to necessary funding," said Mr. Gabriel Kpaka, Chair of the LEG.

The LDCs face unique and severe challenges in adapting to climate change due to their limited resources, fragile economies, and heightened vulnerability to climate impacts. These nations often lack the financial means, technological capacity, and institutional frameworks necessary to implement effective adaptation strategies, making international and regional support systems critical to their survival and development. Existing support mechanisms, including financial support, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives, are essential but often insufficient, burdened by complex procedures and slow disbursement processes.

To address these gaps, there is an urgent need to revamp the current procedures and modalities, making them more accessible, responsive, and tailored to the specific needs of LDCs. Strengthening these support systems is crucial not only for enabling these countries to cope with climate change but also for ensuring global climate resilience and equity.

"Indeed, efforts are being made to transform the NAPs to attract the necessary financing for implementing adaptation actions by the LDCs, along with transforming how funding is provided to the LDCs, to address the persistent obstacles and challenges they face in accessing financing that is available’’ said Paul Desanker, UNFCCC secretariat.

In his opening speech, Excellency Ato Seyoum mentioned that the Government of Ethiopia has been undertaking concrete actions from policy, strategy and long term plan formulation to re-structuring institutions at all level in responding to the ever increasing impacts of climate change. The Government prioritizes building green economy and climate resilience as one of the key pillars of its 10 Year Development Plan. The actions the Government of Ethiopia has been undertaking is also part of our commitment in forging global partnership to attain globally agreed multilateral environmental agreements for building a safe world. As per the provisions of the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, Ethiopia has prepared and submitted the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Long Term Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development Strategy (LT-LEDS).

Moreover, Ethiopia's commitment to reforestation and landscape restoration through initiatives like the Green Legacy initiative demonstrate our determination to combat climate change and protect our ecosystems. These efforts not only contribute to carbon sequestration but also provide multiple benefits such as job creation, watershed management, and biodiversity conservation. It is great coincidence that this meeting of the LEG starts on the national tree planting week of the Ethiopian Green Legacy Initiative that started in 2019 and has already planted well over 32 billon tree seedlings. This week 600 million trees will be planted across the country and we are delighted the LEG members to be part of this initiative. The work of the LDC Experts Group focuses on supporting the LDCs to achieve successful adaptation to climate change impacts and thus build resilience and reduce vulnerabilities to the increasing adverse impacts of climate change.

The Green Legacy Initiative is an excellent example of nature based solution resilience building initiative and other countries will emulate this and include this approach in their work plan as an example to promote to other LDCs as well as inclusion in the 3rd generation of NDCs expected to be submitted in February 2025. During the official session, LEG members planted trees at the premises of ECA to be part of the Green Legacy Initiative and as a symbol of solidarity and cooperation.