Intervention by Commissioner Lenarčič at COP28 launch of the Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace

Intervention by Commissioner Lenarčič

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am proud today to endorse this Declaration on behalf of the EU.

Today, on the Day of Relief, Recovery and Peace, I thank the UAE COP 28 Presidency for placing the vital issue of the humanitarian consequences of climate change on the agenda.

As the climate crisis deepens, it is more important than ever that the voices of the most vulnerable communities are heard on this stage.

We must act today to protect these communities from the effects of climate breakdown. And help them to break free from an endless cycle of fragility and dependency on aid.

Together, we can build local level resilience to help address the root drivers of crises and preserve hard-fought development gains.

This Declaration must be a path towards achieving these goals. Protecting people today against the disasters of tomorrow.

The EU is already acting to make these ambitions a reality.

We are strengthening early warning systems in vulnerable areas through capacity development and development cooperation.

Only a few months ago, we adopted a comprehensive action package focusing on the climate and security nexus – the Joint Communication on ‘a new outlook on the climate and security nexus'.

Whilst the EU's development cooperation policy foresees a 30% spending target for climate action focused on mitigation and adaption measures.

But we know Europe only works when it works together. That's why we are working alongside our Member States in Africa, where we are implementing the Team Europe Initiative on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience presented at last year's COP.

But more is needed.

That's why next year, we expect to dedicate around 80 million euros to reinforce the disaster preparedness of vulnerable populations around the world.

However, we cannot do this alone.

That is why this Declaration is so important. It must build greater cooperation between development, peace, humanitarian and climate actors.

Only this way can we build sustainable solutions and strengthen resilience at the community level in the most vulnerable communities.

Thank you.