Tanzania’s Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango has urged stronger financial backing for countries most affected by climate change, as he met with Ibrahima Diong, Chief Executive Officer of the newly established Loss and Damage Fund, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The meeting highlighted Africa’s growing climate vulnerability, with Dr. Mpango noting that nations such as Tanzania continue to bear the brunt of extreme weather events despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.
He stressed that while Tanzania is stepping up adaptation and mitigation measures, financing gaps remain a major barrier.
“The Fund’s role is crucial in helping vulnerable countries respond to unavoidable climate impacts. Tanzania stands ready to work closely with the mechanism as it takes off,” Dr. Mpango said.
The Loss and Damage Fund was created at COP27 in Egypt in 2022 after decades of negotiations, and its operationalization was agreed upon at COP28 in Dubai last year.
The Fund is designed to provide financial support to developing nations facing irreversible climate impacts such as rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods.
Its mandate extends beyond immediate relief, with resources earmarked for rebuilding damaged infrastructure, relocating at-risk communities, and restoring degraded agricultural and coastal land.
Priority will be given to low-income countries and small island states, which are both highly exposed to climate risks and least responsible for emissions.
For Tanzania, access to the Fund is expected to complement ongoing national climate initiatives, ranging from investment in resilient agriculture to strengthening disaster preparedness systems.
Analysts say effective financing could accelerate the country’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy while cushioning communities against future shocks.
As international attention shifts to implementation, the engagement between Dr. Mpango and Mr. Diong signals Tanzania’s determination to remain at the forefront of Africa’s climate diplomacy, pushing for fair and timely access to global climate finance.
