Gabon advocates for global climate finance reform in new york
On the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the Permanent Mission of the African Union hosted the launch of a joint report by the OECD, OIF, and IFDD, focusing on access to green financing. Addressing an international audience, Louise Pierrette Mvono, Gabon’s Minister of Planning and Foresight, passionately articulated her nation’s stance, calling for a fundamental overhaul of international aid mechanisms.
With an impressive 88% of its land covered by forests and a longstanding status as a net carbon sink, Gabon stands as a crucial player in global climate regulation. Yet, this champion of conservation faces intricate procedural and linguistic barriers that impede its access to essential climate funds.
Acknowledging the rigorous scientific merit of the presented report, Minister Mvono underscored this paradox: her country’s monumental preservation efforts demand, in return, predictable, equitable, and proportionate international financial solidarity, free from current bureaucratic delays.
A proactive national strategy in motion
Far from passively awaiting a paradigm shift, Libreville is forging ahead. Ahead of presenting the nation’s second Voluntary National Review at the United Nations, the Minister highlighted the robust framework of Gabon’s ongoing transition.
The National Growth and Development Plan 2026-2030 already incorporates advanced tools, such as green bonds and carbon credits. The accreditation of Gabon’s Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) by the Green Climate Fund exemplifies this commitment to financial self-reliance. Furthermore, in terms of innovation, the $60 million partnership forged during COP16 in Cali—known as the « Country Package »—embodies an integrated strategy, uniting climate action, biodiversity preservation, and local development initiatives.
Three key levers to unlock future progress
To translate global pledges into tangible local impacts, the Minister presented three critical recommendations to funders. These include supporting local institutions by prioritizing direct accreditation for national bodies, thereby reducing reliance on international intermediaries; fostering sustained expertise through financing continuous training programs to locally design bankable ecological projects; and monetizing natural capital by establishing stringent payment mechanisms for ecosystem services and transparent carbon markets, which are essential for recognizing the systemic value of tropical forests.
Through this pragmatic advocacy, Gabon underscores that safeguarding our planet ultimately depends on the capacity of wealthier nations to simplify and expedite financial support for countries on the front lines of conservation.
