Climate finance must not increase debt burden: Khalilur Rahman

Foreign Minister and President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Khalilur Rahman has called for climate finance to reach the most vulnerable countries without adding to their debt burden, urging global partners to prioritise grants, simplify funding procedures and strengthen national institutions.

He made the remarks at a high-level event organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat on the sidelines of the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, on Wednesday (November 11).

Khalilur Rahman called for grant-based financing for small island developing states and least developed countries, fewer documentation requirements and faster approval processes. He also stressed the need to strengthen national institutions so countries can turn their climate plans into fundable projects.

He said access to concessional climate finance should be determined not only by national income but also by the level of climate vulnerability and risk. Women and young people should also be involved in financing decisions, planning and implementation.

He added that the UN General Assembly would continue advancing these priorities ahead of the 2027 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit.

-AH