Minister urges delegates to represent Uganda responsibly at COP30

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As Uganda prepares for COP30, water and environment state minister Beatrice Anywar has urged all Ugandan delegates to uphold discipline, integrity and professionalism for the good of their country.

In a speech delivered by ministry permanent secretary Dr Alfred Okidi Okot, Anywar says all delegates have a duty to Uganda to act responsibly and avoid situations that may cause individual or national embarrassment.

She urged them to make sure they understand the ways and regulations of Brazil to avoid being caught off guard and embarrassing the country.

“As we get ready to participate in COP30, allow me to draw your attention and ask you to familiarise yourselves with the Code of Conduct and also bear in mind the standing regulations, the Government of Uganda, your fellow human resource managers and the local laws in Brazil,” she noted.

“Please ensure that you do not break any of those laws or guidelines. You have a duty to Uganda to act very responsibly and avoid situations that may lead to individual or national impacts,” she added.

This was during the national Pre-COP3 forum 2025, at the Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb, on November 5, 2025.

The event held under the theme: Commitment to Action, Doubling Finance for Adaptation 30, was organised by the ministry, with support from various partners.

Okidi officially opened the forum on behalf of the minister.

The forum convened development partners, government ministries, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector, and youth representatives to harmonise Uganda’s national position ahead of the 30^th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil, running from November 6-21.

She lauded President Yoweri Museveni’s leadership in prioritising climate change within Uganda’s development agenda.

She highlighted that climate action is integrated into national frameworks, including Vision 2040, the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV), and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto.

Okidi also announced that the environment state minister was designated to lead Uganda’s delegation to COP30, reflecting the country’s commitment to global climate dialogue and implementation.

“Our focus at COP30 is on translating commitments into real economic and diplomatic partnerships. This will enable Uganda to advance toward its $500b economy target through investments in agroprocessing, tourism, manufacturing, minerals, oil and gas, and technology transfer,” he said.

Green fund

He also announced that the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has already approved $31 million (about shillings 108 billion) in result-based payments to Uganda for measurable success in reducing deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. 

He thanked the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for its support in securing the funding and noted that Uganda has finalized a national framework for carbon trading.

“Climate change is not a distant threat; it is here and now. Our farmers are losing crops to drought and floods, and families are being displaced by landslides. COP30 must deliver action that protects our people and ecosystems,” he added.

Support to the Uganda pavilion

At the event, the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) announced a sh250m contribution to support the Uganda Pavilion and delegation office at COP30, which will serve as a platform to showcase Uganda’s climate innovations, partnerships, and success stories.

Okidi acknowledged the support of UDB and other partners, including the Uganda Communications Commission, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, energy ministry, the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID), and Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE).

UDB also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the water ministry committing to promote climate-aligned projects across and renewable energy among others, towards the country’s green growth and climate resilience agenda.

Civil society organisations also presented a nine-point agenda for COP30, highlighting priority actions to strengthen climate adaptation, resilience, and community participation.

UDB director of finance and business operations Denis Ochieng, who represented the managing director, emphasised UDB’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient growth.

He noted that climate finance and green investments are now central to the Bank’s strategic priorities.

He further highlighted UDB’s initiatives, including the establishment of a Green Finance Function in 2019 and a dedicated Climate Finance Facility in 2023, aimed at mobilising green finance and supporting projects on climate adaptation, mitigation and biodiversity conservation.

Ochieng reaffirmed UDB’s role as co-sponsor of the Uganda Pavilion at COP30, describing it as a platform to showcase Uganda’s climate innovations and attract international green financing.

“UDB is committed to working closely with the Ministry of Water and Environment and all partners to ensure Uganda's participation at COP30 is well-organised, visible and results-oriented,” he said.

He also noted the forthcoming signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry, underscoring UDB’s dedication to fostering impactful collaboration in climate action.

Youth call for inclusivity

Jemimal Kassibo, the co-ordinator of the Youth Climate Council, highlighted the active role of young Ugandans in climate action.

She highlighted innovations by over 300 youths, particularly sustainable livelihood solutions and eco-education initiatives, aimed at both mitigating climate change and improving livelihoods.

Kassibo called for greater support to enhance youth capacity, including structured mentorship, access to data, inclusion in decision-making, and direct access to climate finance through a targeted youth climate fund. She also emphasised the need to extend these opportunities to marginalised communities, including refugees and persons with disabilities, ensuring their visibility and participation in climate action.

“Youths are already doing a lot in the fight against climate change through their innovations, but we need support to scale these initiatives and build sustainable structures,” Kassibo said.

She called on partners and government agencies to provide resources, technical expertise, and inclusive platforms for youth-led climate solutions.