Commonwealth Climate Finance Roundtable – Accelerating Access to Climate Finance for a Resilient and Inclusive Commonwealth
Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, London SW1Y 5HX
About this Event
Background
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other climate-vulnerable countries face existential threats from rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and economic instability, yet they lack sufficient financial resources to build their resilience. The World Meteorological Organisation estimates that between 1970 – 2021 SIDS and other climate vulnerable countries experienced economic losses amounting to USD 4.3 trillion.1 This figure is a huge contrast to the actual amount of financing that is provided to these countries. In 2019, SIDS had only accessed USD 1.5 billion of the USD 100 billion provided by developing countries for climate finance.2
Following the announcements from COP29 for a new climate finance target of USD 300 billion each year from developed to developing countries, and efforts to secure USD 1.3 trillion in climate finance from public and private sources by 2035, the important role of private finance in mobilising the resources needed to meet the trillions required for SIDS and other vulnerable countries is increasingly evident.
At the Commonwealth Secretariat, we are committed to supporting our SIDS and other vulnerable member countries to access much needed climate finance through our Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH). The Hub was established following a mandate from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2015 and became operational in 2016. It was created to help small and other vulnerable Commonwealth countries overcome barriers to accessing international climate finance. As at April 2025, CCFAH has supported the securing of USD 485.68 million of climate finance for member countries covering 104 Approved projects (43 Adaptation, 12 Mitigation and 49 Cross Cutting) in 21 Countries and the Africa and Caribbean Regions. The Hub has conducted 152 capacity building initiatives, training around 3430 government officials, thereby significantly enhancing local expertise and institutional capacity in climate finance.
As climate challenges intensify, CCFAH has continued to evolve its operations to ensure member states receive targeted technical assistance and capacity-building. The 10th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate CCFAH’s achievements to date and cast a vision for its future. It affords an opportunity to reflect, learn lessons and take stock of new directions in delivering climate finance support to our member countries.
Objectives
Celebrate Progress and Impact: Reflect on the achievements of CCFAH over the past decade in enhancing climate finance access, showcasing results in adaptation and mitigation, and highlighting its evolving role within the global climate finance architecture.
Deepen Strategic Partnerships: Reinforce collaboration with bilateral and multilateral donors, international financial institutions, the private sector, academia, and other relevant actors to support a more coordinated and sustainable approach to climate finance access and delivery.
Facilitate Knowledge Exchange and Forward Planning: Encourage dialogue among member countries and partners on climate finance trends, mechanisms, and access strategies; focusing on shared lessons and future pathways to 2030 and beyond.
Amplify Visibility and Advocacy: Raise the profile of CCFAH’s work and that of member countries through targeted communication, media outreach, and storytelling that highlights local impact and investment potential.
Align with Financiers’ Priorities: Engage in open and constructive discussions to better understand the financing approaches, thematic interests, and risk considerations of public and private financiers, and how these align with CCFAH’s pipeline and country-level needs.
Strengthen Collaborative Networks: Foster stronger relationships between member countries and key funding stakeholders, building a shared vision that mobilises both traditional and innovative financing to meet the unique climate challenges faced by Commonwealth countries.
Expected Participants
Government Officials: Ministers, High Commissioners, and policymakers
Climate Finance Experts: Technical advisers and professionals specialising in climate finance.
International Donors & Financial Institutions: Representatives from development banks, funding agencies, and international climate finance organisations.
Private Sector Representatives: Private Finance, Impact Investors, Asset Managers, and Insurers investing in or impacted by climate finance mechanisms.
Agenda
10:00 – 10:30 Welcome, Registration and Light Refreshments
10:30 – 10:40 Opening Remarks
Hon. Shirley Botchwey, Secretary General of the Commonwealth
10:40 – 10:45 CCFAH Overview Video: Celebrating a Milestone in Climate Finance Access for the Commonwealth
10:45 – 11:00 Family Photo
11:00 – 12:15 Moderated Roundtable Discussion
Moderator: Mr. Suresh Yadav, Senior Director, Climate Change and Oceans, Commonwealth Secretariat
12:15 – 12:20 CCFAH in Action Video: How Nature-based Seawalls Defend Ocean Communities in Fiji
12:20 – 12:30 Closing Remarks
Dr Arjoon Suddhoo, Deputy Secretary General, Commonwealth Secretariat
12:30 – 13:00 Lunch and Networking
The Commonwealth Secretariat
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal sovereign states. Our combined population is 2.7 billion, of which more than 60 per cent is aged 29 or under.
The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-three of our members are small states, many of which are island nations.
The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights. Our work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people, and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.
Member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organisations.
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