UN launches climate resilience initiative in Sao Tome and Principe
The RESIslands project aims to enhance climate risk assessment and investment readiness in the island nation.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has launched the RESIslands initiative in Sao Tome and Principe, a project designed to bolster the nation's preparedness for climate change impacts. This initiative is part of a larger program encompassing eight African countries, with Sao Tome and Principe being a key participant. The project focuses on strengthening climate risk assessments, improving institutional capacity, and preparing for climate-related investments, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding communities and their essential services.
Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by UNECA, the RESIslands initiative has a 30-month duration. It provides support to nine member states of the African Island States Climate Commission (AISCC), including Portuguese-speaking nations like Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. In Sao Tome and Principe, the program will enhance national capabilities for risk evaluation, bolster climate information systems, and assist in preparing investment proposals aligned with the country's specific priorities.
UNECA program manager Kjartan Fjeldsted highlighted the ambition to translate national priorities into tangible actions and sustainable investments. He underscored the importance of protecting the country's natural resources, such as its marine environment, forests, and biodiversity, which form the foundation for sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. Fjeldsted also acknowledged Sao Tome and Principe's active role in regional cooperation through the AISCC.
Why it mattersSao Tome and Principe's communities and essential services are directly affected by the initiative's focus on improving climate risk assessment and investment readiness.