CFAN at COP29

CFAN Post-NCQG: ​
Scaling climate finance for resilience and ​economic opportunity in SIDS and LDCs

Thursday November 14, 11:30-12:30 Azerbaijan Time (GMT +4)
Canada Pavilion
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With the support of Canada, the US, and Australia, CFAN and its regional partners are advancing tailored solutions that unlock access to climate funds and leverage private investments. With a global project pipeline representing USD1.4 billion, there are currently 20 CFAN advisors active in the Pacific and Caribbean: this event announced the expansion of the Network to Africa.

As negotiations on the NCQG entered their last stages, speakers from Canada, the US, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and CFAN advisors from the Caribbean and Pacific shared their perspectives on how to effectively roll out new commitments, and how CFAN can evolve in its crucial role as a key delivery mechanism of international climate finance.

Speakers:​

• Ms. Laetitia De Marez, Senior Director, RMI (moderator)​
• Ms. Giulia Christianson, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate ​
• Mr. Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ​​
• Mr. Kunal Singh, CFAN Advisor to SPC​
• Ms. Shalenie Madho, CFAN Advisor to Jamaica ​

Solutions for Energy and Resilience: ​Project and Pipeline Development in the Pacific Region

November 14, 5-5:50 p.m. Azerbaijan Time (GMT +4)
Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion
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Navigating and accessing climate finance to unlock critical funding and mobilize investments at scale and at pace continues to be a major challenge for Pacific Islands. While most of the conversation on access considers the ‘supply side’, a major pain point for the Pacific remains the countries’ and Direct Access Entities’ ability to put forward high quality projects and build robust pipelines at national and regional levels. While countries are clear on their priorities and many concept notes have been formulated, a majority of projects still fail in the early stages of the project development process or stall for years, accentuating perceived risk by investors.

This panel discussion emphasized possible practical solutions to project preparation, development and de-risking for the Pacific region.

Speakers: 

• Ms. Tagaloa Cooper, SPREP Director Climate Change Resilience Programme ​
• Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director, Caribbean Community Climate Change Center
• Mr. David Gumbs, Principal, Islands Energy Program, RMI​​
• Moderator: Ms. Laetitia De Marez, Senior Director, CFAN
• Others TBA

Financing for Resilience​: Investing in People and Programmes

November 12, 9:30-10:30am Azerbaijan Time (GMT +4)
NDC Partnership Pavilion
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This panel discussion at the NDCP Pavilion highlighted the Climate Finance Access Network’s (CFAN) commitment to bolstering national and regional capacity in climate resilience, with insights from both the Caribbean and Pacific. As climate impacts intensify, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries, the need for fast-moving, flexible finance mechanisms has never been greater. However, accessing and effectively deploying such funds requires more than capital alone; it necessitates robust human capacity and embedded advisory support to navigate complex financing requirements.

CFAN’s hands-on approach in the Pacific and Caribbean—exemplified by partnerships with the Pacific Community (SPC) and the rapid deployment of advisors with Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF)—demonstrates the power of investing in local expertise to strengthen climate finance pathways. The session showcased how embedding advisors in countries like The Bahamas and Jamaica has enhanced resilience-building efforts by unlocking finance windows and empowering governments to break the costly cycle of disaster and reconstruction. Panelists shared key lessons, emphasizing the urgent need for additional investment in human capacity as foundational to achieving NDC goals and sustaining climate resilience on the frontlines of a changing climate.

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Speakers

• Honorable Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development, and Culture, St. Vincent & The Grenadines
• Ms. Rochelle Newbold, Primary Special Advisor for Climate Change & Environmental Matters, Office of the Prime Minister, Bahamas
• Ms. Shalenie Madho, CFAN advisor to Jamaica
• Mr. Kunal Singh, CFAN advisor to SPC
• Moderator: Ms. Laetitia De Marez, Senior Director, CFAN

Capacity Building Done Right: Caribbean-Led Climate Action for a Resilient Future

November 16, 9:30-10:30am Azerbaijan Time (GMT +4)
CARICOM Pavilion
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This event highlights CFAN’s innovative approach to empowering Caribbean nations with the skills and tools necessary for impactful climate finance access and project development. Through practical training and embedded advisors, CFAN champions a uniquely Caribbean-led approach to climate resilience, ensuring local voices and solutions are at the forefront. Panelists, including CFAN advisors and key stakeholders, will share successes, lessons learned, and strategic priorities for capacity building in the region. This discussion will spotlight the ways in which tailored capacity-building efforts are unlocking new pathways to sustainable, climate-resilient growth across the Caribbean. Attendees will hear directly from advisors and regional stakeholders about innovative, localized strategies that are transforming climate finance into long-term resilience.

Speakers

• Honorable Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development, and Culture, St. Vincent & The Grenadines
• Ms. Rochelle Newbold, Primary Special Advisor for Climate Change & Environmental Matters, Office of the Prime Minister, Bahamas
• Dr. Donneil Cain, Senior Climate Specialist, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC)
• Ms. Shalenie Madho, CFAN advisor to Jamaica
• Mr. Kunal Singh, CFAN advisor to SPC
• Moderator: Ms. Laetitia De Marez, Senior Director, CFAN