Despite the fact that Uganda has made significant progress on climate action, the urgency of protecting natural resources, mitigating climate risks and building resilience remains crucial. One of Uganda’s top priorities is ensuring equitable climate finance. With more than 70 percent of the population dependent on rain-fed agriculture, Uganda is highly vulnerable to climate variability, particularly in rural areas where droughts and floods disrupt livelihoods.

At COP 29, Uganda will advocate for increased financial commitments from developed countries, emphasizing the need for accessible, grant-based financing for adaptation initiatives. This financing is crucial to building resilient infrastructure, supporting climate-smart agriculture and safeguarding water resources. Uganda will advocate for the fulfillment of commitments to the Loss and Damage Fund which was operationalized last year, at COP 28 and will also advocate for equitable climate finance, in the wake of the global discourse on the new target collective quantified on climate financing. Uganda’s other priority is strengthening climate resilience and adaptive capacity.

The objective is to strengthen adaptation mechanisms, given Uganda’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Uganda will leverage its presidency of the G77 and the China Group to advocate for strengthening adaptation measures to ensure that communities in the South, many of whom are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, are empowered and supported to effectively manage extreme weather events. food security and biodiversity loss. Particular attention will be paid to the urgent need to increase funding and technical assistance for national adaptation plans for developing countries and to promote nature-based solutions such as reforestation and wetland restoration, in order to combat desertification and strengthen ecosystems and biodiversity. also advocate for strengthening climate change mitigation measures and further development of carbon market mechanisms. It should be remembered that at COP 28, negotiations around carbon trading were not concluded and were postponed to COP 29.

In preparation for carbon markets negotiations, Uganda has finalized its regulations on National Climate Change Mechanisms to guide and improve carbon trading and investments in Uganda. Additionally, Uganda has committed to improving its climate change mitigation measures under the next Nationally Determined Contribution to be submitted next year.

On the sensitive issue of energy transition, Uganda’s position, as set out in its energy transition plan, is unequivocal.

Uganda is aiming for a dual energy approach that allows it to harness renewable sources while ensuring a just, orderly and balanced transition that addresses its persistent reality of energy poverty. Through these priorities, Uganda is committed to advancing climate resilience, economic development and sustainable growth. , thus strengthening its role as a proactive participant in the global climate agenda.