During the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the African Union’s permanent mission hosted the launch of a joint report by the OECD and OIF/IFDD on access to green financing. Addressing an international audience, Louise Pierrette Mvono, Gabon’s Minister of Planning and Foresight, powerfully articulated her country’s position, advocating for a fundamental restructuring of global international aid mechanisms.
With 88% of its territory covered by lush forests, Gabon stands as a historic net carbon sink, playing an indispensable role in global climate regulation. Yet, this status as a conservation leader often collides with intricate procedural and linguistic barriers that impede access to crucial climate funds.
While commending the scientific rigor of the presented report, Minister Mvono underscored this paradox. She emphasized that Gabon’s immense preservation efforts necessitate predictable, equitable, and proportionate international financial solidarity in return, free from the current bureaucratic delays.
Gabon’s proactive national climate strategy
Far from passively awaiting a global paradigm shift, the government in Libreville is taking decisive action. Ahead of presenting the nation’s second Voluntary National Review to the United Nations, the Minister highlighted the robust framework underpinning Gabon’s ecological transition.
The National Growth and Development Plan 2026-2030 already incorporates advanced financial instruments, such as green bonds and carbon credits. The accreditation of Gabon’s Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) by the Green Climate Fund further demonstrates this commitment to financial autonomy. Furthermore, in a move towards innovation, the $60 million “Country Package” partnership, forged at COP16 in Cali, exemplifies an integrated approach, uniting climate action, biodiversity conservation, and local development.
Unlocking the future: three key strategies
To translate global promises into tangible local impacts, Minister Mvono presented three pivotal recommendations to international funders. These include strengthening local foundations by prioritizing direct accreditation for national institutions, thereby reducing reliance on international intermediaries. She also advocated for sustaining expertise through continuous training programs designed to develop locally-conceived, bankable ecological projects. Finally, the Minister called for monetizing natural capital by establishing robust payment mechanisms for ecosystem services and integrated carbon markets, which are essential for recognizing the systemic value of tropical forests.
Through this pragmatic advocacy, Gabon reiterates that the planet’s preservation hinges on the capacity of wealthier nations to streamline and expedite funding for countries at the forefront of conservation efforts.
