As the COP29 summit unfolds in Baku, Azerbaijan, conflict-affected countries are making a powerful appeal for more substantial climate financing, pressing for an increase in annual funding to over $20 billion. This demand, revealed in a letter obtained by Reuters, reflects the urgent needs of nations grappling with the combined threats of war and extreme weather, which disproportionately impact their people and infrastructures. The appeal is being led by the g7+, an intergovernmental coalition of fragile states, which has highlighted the difficulty these countries face in securing investment due to their perceived risk levels. Their message underscores a critical need for reliable financial support to protect their populations, many of whom have been uprooted by both climate impacts and conflict.
The group of vulnerable countries joins other coalitions at COP29 in arguing for greater climate funding, as governments aim to set a new global annual financing target. Island nations emphasize the existential threat posed by rising sea levels, while rainforest countries stress the need for funds to preserve vital carbon-storing ecosystems. However, fragile states, which already struggle with conflict-related instability, say they face unique challenges in accessing funds and adapting to climate change due to heightened security risks and economic instability. As such, they rely heavily on public funds provided through UN mechanisms, since private investors generally avoid conflict zones.
In response, the Azerbaijani Presidency of COP29 is set to announce a new initiative—the Network of Climate-vulnerable Countries—on Friday, aiming to strengthen the collective voice of these nations in the climate finance landscape. This network, developed with support from ODI Global, a think tank, will focus on building member countries' capacity to absorb funds and create dedicated platforms to connect investors with high-impact projects. Burundi, Chad, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Timor-Leste, and Yemen have already joined, while all 20 members of the g7+ have been invited.
"My hope is it will create a real platform for the countries in need," said Abdullahi Khalif, Somalia's chief climate negotiator, during the summit. The formation of this network follows an October letter sent by the g7+ to major global institutions, including the UN, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and COP presidencies. The letter urges explicit language in COP29’s final agreements, guaranteeing a doubling of funds to at least $20 billion annually by 2026 to support climate adaptation.
While some conflict-affected countries belong to the broader UN negotiating group for least developed nations, the g7+ advocates point out that these countries face distinct struggles. "A flood situation in South Sudan or Somalia creates more catastrophe than it would in any other developing country," explained Habib Mayar, the g7+ deputy general secretary who helped draft the appeal letter. Mayar’s comments reflect the outsized impacts of climate events on these fragile states, where governments often lack the infrastructure and resources to cope effectively with disasters.
Supporting data from UNICEF adds urgency to this call: children born in South Sudan, a country enduring civil conflict since 2013, are 38 times more likely to be internally displaced by climate-related disasters than their peers in Europe or North America. Despite this, a 2024 analysis by ODI Global found that conflict-hit nations received only $8.4 billion in climate financing in 2022—less than a quarter of what they needed to address the mounting crises. Mauricio Vazquez, head of policy for global risks and resilience at ODI Global, emphasized the dire situation: "It’s clear that climate funds aren’t doing enough to support the world’s most climate vulnerable people."
By doubling the funding commitments, advocates hope that COP29 can make substantial progress toward bridging the gap for conflict-affected countries. Through increased support, the Network of Climate-vulnerable Countries aims to build resilient frameworks, enabling these nations to better prepare for climate shocks, protect their communities, and address the growing humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis.
