As a global humanitarian organization dedicated to serving the most vulnerable, the Adventist development and Relief Agency (ADRA) calls upon the Presidency for COP29 and all Parties to recognize and strengthen the essential role of humanitarian actors in climate action, prioritize climate finance, and include food and nutrition security in climate negotiations.
ADRA’s network of 122 offices around the world collaborates to provide assistance to 30 million people globally. In partnership with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, our presence extends to 22 million church members and encompasses a wide array of medical centers, schools, and other facilities. Through our humanitarian aid and development initiatives, we closely engage with local communities, standing alongside them as they confront the severe impacts of climate change.
Humanitarian actors like ADRA are not only responding to emergencies but are also crucial partners in building resilience, advocating for climate justice, and implementing sustainable solutions that meet the needs of the most affected populations. We bring local knowledge and solutions, cultural understanding, and established trust within communities, which are vital for effective climate adaptation and mitigation.
Humanitarian organizations are on the frontlines of responding to the devastating impacts of climate change, from severe droughts and floods to intensified storms and rising sea levels. Our teams witness firsthand the growing loss and damage that climate-induced disasters inflict on communities, particularly those in fragile and conflict-affected areas. As such, it is critical that COP29 acknowledges and leverages the unique capabilities of humanitarian organizations in shaping a more inclusive, just, and sustainable response to the climate crisis.
We also support the prioritization of climate finance as a key agenda item for COP29 and we advocate for a strong NCQG. The commitment by developed countries to mobilize sufficient finance for mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage to support developing countries has yet to be fully realized, undermining confidence and the ability of vulnerable countries to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Climate finance must be scaled up and allocated effectively, ensuring that it reaches the most vulnerable communities and supports locally-led adaptation strategies. This includes funding for loss and damage, which is critical to addressing the irreversible impacts faced by many communities around the world. We look forward to seeing commitments to deliver on pledges and to seeing the fund fully operationalized with human rights-based principles.
Without adequate financial resources, humanitarian and development actors will be limited in their capacity to support those on the frontlines of the climate crisis. It is imperative that climate finance mechanisms are accessible, transparent, and equitable, with a focus on empowering local actors who are best positioned to lead context-specific responses. We call for greater collaboration between governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to ensure that climate finance is directed where it is needed most.
Food and nutrition security must also be a central focus in climate negotiations, as climate change increasingly threatens the stability of food systems around the world. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and more frequent extreme events like droughts and floods are disrupting agricultural production, reducing crop yields, and affecting food supply chains, which disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations. Addressing food and nutrition security in negotiations is crucial to ensuring that all people, especially those in low-income and climate-sensitive regions, have reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. This includes promoting sustainable agricultural practices, securing funding for adaptation and resilience in food systems, and integrating nutrition-sensitive policies into climate strategies. By prioritizing food and nutrition security, negotiators can help build a more resilient global food system that supports both human well-being and environmental sustainability.
In conclusion, ADRA stands ready to work alongside the UNFCCC and all stakeholders at COP29 in Baku to ensure that humanitarian perspectives are integrated into global climate policy. ADRA and its network also stand ready to support you with our on-the-ground experience, insights, and commitment to building resilient communities. We must act decisively and inclusively to address the urgent needs of those most affected by climate change while paving the way for a sustainable and equitable future for all. We extend our best wishes to all policy negotiators as they undertake the challenging task of shaping a fair and effective response to the climate crisis. Your efforts are crucial in determining the future of our planet and the well-being of millions of vulnerable people worldwide. We are hopeful that, together, we can achieve meaningful outcomes for a more just and sustainable future.
Point of contact: Carina Rolly [email protected]
