Hon. Ana Paula Chantre de Carvalho Pereira, Minister of Environment of Angola flanked by other officials

At a high-level #COP30 side event held at the Angola Pavilion in the Blue Zone, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) called for a decisive global shift from promises to tangible delivery in climate adaptation support. The event, themed “Scaling Adaptation Delivery in LDCs: Moving from Promises to Delivery for the World’s Most Vulnerable,” was organised by the LDC Group Secretariat and brought together Angolan Minister, negotiators, and development partners, NGOs and youth committed to advancing resilience in the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations.

Opening the session, Hon. Ana Paula Luna Chantre de Carvalho Pereira, Minister of Environment of Angola, shared her country’s experience in advancing National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and underscored the urgent need for more inclusive and predictable support.

“Our people are already feeling the severe impacts of climate change such as droughts, floods, and the loss of livelihoods. We have made progress through our NAP process, but we urgently need more international support to ease the suffering of our people and to translate our plans into real action on the ground.”: said Minister Pereira.

Her remarks set the tone for a substantive dialogue on how to deliver adaptation at scale and at speed for the most affected communities.

Speaking on behalf of the LDC Group, Evans Njewa, Chair of the LDCs, tackled the moral and financial imperatives of adaptation.

“This is why we have been relentlessly calling for a tripling of adaptation finance in grant-based form from 2025 levels,” he said. “Even that remains far from enough to meet the costs of adaptation. It is also fair to call for tripling funding through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) to a minimum of USD 3 billion under the GEF-9 cycle.

Njewa added that contributing to the LDCF is not just about fulfilling financial obligations rather it is about saving lives, empowering women, creating jobs, stabilising fragile environments, and building futures.

“For LDCs, scaling adaptation delivery is the clearest measure of credibility, justice, and solidarity.” Explained Njewa.

Dr Paul V. Desanker, Manager of the Response Subdivision in the UNFCCC Adaptation Division, highlighted the slow pace of progress in developing NAPs across LDCs.

“As of today, only 24 LDCs have completed their National Adaptation Plans, with a few more expected to submit soon,” he observed. “After more than a decade, this is a troubling state of affairs. Adaptation costs cannot be delayed — people are already paying through lost income, production, and health, and in some cases, with their lives. Every LDC should be supported to produce a NAP within a year and continue improving it over time.”

Adding a financing perspective, Kavita Sinha, Director of the Department of Private Sector Facility at the Green Climate Fund (GCF), reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to supporting adaptation efforts in LDCs.

“LDCs are among the most climate-vulnerable countries,” she said. “The Green Climate Fund has committed USD 5.7 billion to date to LDCs, of which 53% is directed towards adaptation. Adaptation is about safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and futures. By investing in adaptation today, we create the foundation for sustainable growth and climate-resilient development tomorrow. LDCs are showing us the way.”

The LDC group collaborates with multiple partners including UNIDO to achieve its goals.

Rana Ghoneim, Director of Energy and Climate Action at UNIDO, reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to supporting LDCs through capacity development and institutional strengthening.

Emphasised Ghoneim: “Adaptation is about safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and futures. By investing in adaptation today, we create the foundation for sustainable growth and climate-resilient development tomorrow. LDCs are showing us the way — and UNIDO remains committed to supporting their capacities, including through collaboration with the LDC Group Secretariat.”

Panelists engaging the audience

Sharing practical experiences, Joseph Epitu, representing the LDC Secretariat, highlighted the LDC Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR) as the Group’s flagship effort to deliver locally led adaptation.

“Through LIFE-AR, LDCs are strengthening systems for locally led adaptation and building readiness for scaled delivery under NAP frameworks.

This initiative proves that when resources and ownership are aligned, transformative results follow. But LIFE-AR also shows that sustained finance and support are indispensable for success.”: said Epitu.

Burkina Faso also featured in the discussion. The session concluded with a unified call for the international community to deliver on its adaptation commitments — not as charity, but as a matter of justice and shared responsibility.

As the LDC Chair summarised, “Scaling adaptation delivery must be the defining measure of global solidarity and credibility at COP30 and beyond.”