Fayemi to speak on operationalisation of loss and damage fund at COP28

Kayode Fayemi, immediate past governor of Ekiti and president of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF), will speak at the 28th edition of the United Nation (UN) climate change conference of the parties (COP28).

COP28 is slated to take place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from November 30 to December 12.

In a statement on Thursday, Ahmad Sajoh, head of Fayemi’s media office, said the former governor has been invited to the conference in his capacity as president of FORAF.

FORAF is a regional platform that aspires to “strengthen governance and boost sustainable development in Africa’s towns and cities”.

Fayemi is expected to speak on “The Role of Sub-national Governments in Operationalization of Loss and Damage Fund” at a side event on December 2.

The loss and damage fund is a technique established at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, to offer financial assistance to developing countries, especially those vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The fund is expected to be operationalised in 2024.

“Fayemi has been invited to the conference in his capacity as president of FORAF, the regional platform that seeks to strengthen governance and promote sustainable development in Africa’s towns and cities,” the statement reads.

“He will speak on ‘The Role of Sub-national Governments in Operationalization of Loss and Damage Fund’ at the side event organized by the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) on December 2.

“Fayemi’s speech will focus on the role that sub-national governments can play in the operationalization of the loss and damage fund.

“He will argue that sub-national governments have a critical role to play in identifying and assessing the needs of vulnerable communities, and in ensuring that the funds are used effectively and efficiently.

“Fayemi’s participation in COP28 is an important opportunity for FORAF to raise the profile of sub-national governments in the climate change debate.

“It is also an opportunity to highlight the work that FORAF is doing to support sustainable development in Africa’s towns and cities.”