The Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is currently in South Sudan, following an invitation from President Salva Kiir. The visit aimed to assess the devastating impacts of climate change in the country, which is facing one of its worst heatwaves on record.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a United Nations-backed financial mechanism that helps developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
Joseph Africano Bartel, Undersecretary at South Sudan’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, addressed the media on Monday during a meeting between the GCF delegation and government officials.
“The Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund was invited by the President to visit South Sudan to discuss the impacts of climate change and explore ways to address them,” Bartel said.
The GCF, one of the world’s largest climate finance agencies, supports countries that are party to the Paris Agreement by funding mitigation and adaptation projects. South Sudan, one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change, has been hit hard by extreme weather events, including floods and prolonged heatwaves.
Bartel highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that the current heatwave has forced schools to close across the country.
“Over the past five years, we have experienced severe flooding in states like Upper Nile and Unity. Now, we are facing extreme heat, which has disrupted education and daily life. The GCF is here to discuss how they can support us financially and technically,” he said.
South Sudan has developed a national climate action program requiring up to $639 million in funding. Priority areas include energy generation, smart agriculture, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance resilience.
Stephanie Speck, Head of Special Initiatives at the GCF, acknowledged the severity of the crisis. “South Sudan is at the epicenter of an extreme heatwave, and the situation demands urgent attention,” she said. “The GCF serves as a bridge to fulfill the promises of the Paris Agreement, particularly the commitment by developed nations to provide $100 billion annually for climate action in developing countries.”
Speck emphasized the GCF’s focus on supporting the most vulnerable communities, particularly those facing overlapping challenges such as conflict, fragility, and climate crises.
“South Sudan’s vulnerabilities are stark—flooding, drought, heatwaves, and insecurity are all converging here. This makes it a priority country for GCF investment,” she said.