The Ugandan delegation, led by the Minister of Water and Environment, participated in a high-level bilateral meeting with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Head of CFU, Commonwealth Technical Advisor, and CCD, the discussions focused on the Commonwealth’s extensive support for climate action in Uganda through six core Climate Change Programmes. These initiatives encompass climate finance, land restoration, accelerated NDC implementation, geospatial data integration, youth and gender inclusion, and strengthening the climate-resilient health sector.
A significant highlight of the meeting was Uganda’s collaboration with the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH). Dr. Othniel Yila, the Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser for Uganda, has played a pivotal role in enhancing the nation’s capacity for climate finance and strategic project development. The CCFAH has bolstered Uganda’s policy and regulatory landscape, facilitating key policy reviews such as the National Green Taxonomy and the Development Committee Guidelines for Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV). It has also supported the creation of climate finance proposal screening guidelines and the development of Terms of Reference for Uganda’s Climate Finance Task Force.
The CCFAH’s commitment to inclusive climate action is evident in Uganda’s youth and gender-responsive initiatives, including recent training workshops and active participation in the Living Lands Charter Advisory Group. This reflects Uganda’s leadership and dedication within Commonwealth climate frameworks.
The meeting also reviewed recent and upcoming project proposals, such as a gender-centered methane reduction initiative under the Africa Climate Change Fund and a health sector adaptation proposal developed in partnership with WHO, in alignment with Uganda’s updated NDC. These efforts underscore Uganda’s strategic commitment to leveraging Commonwealth partnerships for impactful climate action, enhancing resilience, and promoting sustainable development across various sectors.
