The significant gathering, held at the Novotel Cotonou Orisha, convened key stakeholders including representatives from the Beninese government, the United Nations system, various technical and financial partners, and numerous actors dedicated to climate policies. Among the notable attendees were Georges Alé, the Minister of Living Environment and Transport, responsible for Sustainable Development, and Aminatou Sar, the Resident Coordinator for the United Nations system in Benin.

Félix Kress, cooperation attaché at the German embassy in Benin, also participated, underscoring the crucial role expected from international partners in providing financial backing, technical assistance, and capacity building essential for the successful execution of this new climate roadmap.

The CDN 3.0 spans the decade from 2026 to 2035, encompassing several sectors identified as highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Targeted areas for adaptation and resilience measures include agriculture, energy, water resources, forestry, public health, infrastructure, tourism, and the nation’s vital coastal regions.

A financing requirement of $14.5 billion

Benin aims to secure $14.5 billion to fund the initiatives outlined in its CDN 3.0. This substantial figure represents the projected financial need for the climate strategy; current information does not specify the portion already secured or how the funding will be distributed among public resources, private investments, and external support.

These anticipated investments are critical for reducing the vulnerability of local territories, safeguarding essential infrastructure, and enhancing the ability of communities to withstand climate-related events. They are also envisioned as a means to protect economic activities frequently exposed to threats such as droughts, floods, coastal erosion, and the degradation of natural resources.

For Beninese authorities, the CDN 3.0 transcends a mere environmental commitment. It is designed to strategically guide investment decisions and integrate climate risks into public policies, infrastructure projects, and broader economic development strategies.

However, its successful implementation will hinge on the country’s capability to translate these ambitious objectives into concrete, funded, and executed projects. Technical and financial partners are thus encouraged to support the mobilization of resources, the development of specific projects, and the ongoing monitoring of results, particularly in the most exposed regions and among the most vulnerable populations.

Through this renewed contribution, Benin seeks to intricately link the reduction of climate vulnerability with the protection of its economy and the advancement of territorial development. The operational details of this ambitious plan for 2026-2035, including a precise project timeline, funding mechanisms, and monitoring frameworks, are still to be elaborated.