Malawi has called for increased international support to help vulnerable countries cope with the devastating effects of climate change, warning that nations contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions continue to suffer disproportionately from its impacts.
Natural Resources Minister Patricia Wiskes made the call during the opening plenary of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (CoP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.
“Malawi is increasingly experiencing prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, floods and tropical cyclones, which continue to threaten agricultural production, food and water security, energy generation, infrastructure and livelihoods,” Wiskes said.
She cited the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Ana, Cyclone Gombe and Cyclone Freddy as evidence of the country’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
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The minister also raised concern over the anticipated effects of El Niño on the 2026- 27 rainfall season, warning that below-normal rainfall in much of the Central and Southern regions could trigger prolonged dry spells, reduced agricultural production, food insecurity, water shortages and disruptions to hydropower generation.
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She said these conditions could further expose rural communities, smallholder farmers, women and children to climate-related hardships.
Wiskes said the government was strengthening its preparedness through improved early warning systems, anticipatory action, food security interventions and disaster risk management initiatives.
She, however, stressed that domestic efforts needed to be complemented by substantial and predictable international support.
Wiskes outlined five key priorities Malawi wanted addressed at CoP31: keeping the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming target within reach, strengthening adaptation and resilience, securing adequate climate finance, addressing loss and damage, and improving early warning systems, technology transfer and capacity-building.
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On climate finance, Wiskes urged developed countries to fulfil their obligations by providing predictable, additional and grant-based financing to vulnerable nations.
She also said at least 70 percent of climate finance should reach local communities and support locally led adaptation initiatives, in line with the principles of Locally Led Adaptation and the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (Life-AR).
Wiskes then said Malawi was strengthening its climate response through the implementation of its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), National Adaptation Plan and enhanced transparency arrangements under the Paris Agreement.
However, she cautioned that national interventions alone would not be enough without adequate international financing and technical assistance.
“Climate ambition without adequate means of implementation risks leaving the most vulnerable even further behind,” she said.
Meanwhile, CoP31 President Murat Kurum has called on countries to move beyond climate pledges and deliver practical solutions, noting that climate change is increasingly intertwined with economic and geopolitical challenges.
“Working together, we can turn climate commitments into stronger, more resilient and prosperous economies,” he said.
CoP31 brings together governments and other stakeholders from around the world to discuss and negotiate climate action under the United Nations climate change framework.
