By Watipa Nyalugwe

Lilongwe, November 15, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi returned to Malawi Friday afternoon, through at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) from Baku, Azerbaijan, where he represented Malawi and 44 other Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). 

Dr. Usi’s participation at COP29, held from November 11, 2024, marked a significant stride in championing the climate resilience needs of vulnerable nations.

As a lead negotiator for the LDC group, he facilitated critical discussions on scaling up climate finance to address the pressing challenges faced by nations most impacted by climate change. 

Highlighting Malawi’s commitment to advancing renewable energy and technology, Usi advocated for collaboration between Scotland and Malawian universities to foster innovation in renewable energy solutions. He also emphasized the need to integrate information technology (IT) tools into primary education for girls, promoting equal opportunities in the digital age. 

“One of the major achievements of COP29 for Malawi was the establishment of the Adaptation Investment Platform, an initiative led by the African Climate Foundation to bolster climate adaptation efforts,” said Usi.

He further disclosed that that Malawi would host the first global office for this platform, positioning the nation as a hub for adaptation investment and strategy. 

“Malawi secured $33 million in climate finance from the Green Climate Fund through Save the Children. This funding will be directed toward building resilience in vulnerable communities,” announced Usi emphasizing the importance of Malawi’s active participation in global negotiations, as advised by the UN Secretary-General, to ensure the country’s voice is heard on international platforms. 

COP29, hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, is an annual gathering under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The conference brings together world leaders, policymakers, and organizations to assess global progress on climate change, negotiate new commitments, and foster international cooperation. 

Dr. Usi expressed optimism about the outcomes of COP29, stating that the conference provided Malawi with opportunities to strengthen partnerships and secure crucial resources to mitigate the impacts of climate change.