President Daniel Chapo announced on Friday, 13 November, an initial pledge of US$40 million to finance climate adaptation projects in Mozambique, with the potential to mobilise up to US$500 million. The announcement was made during a press conference reviewing Mozambique's participation in the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), taking place in Antalya, Turkey.

According to Lusa, the head of state highlighted prospects for mobilising international resources to strengthen the country's climate resilience, stressing that the funding envelope could grow as new commitments are secured.

"We have a real pledge — around US$40 million to start — but the window gives us the possibility of continuing to mobilise financing of up to around US$500 million," Daniel Chapo said.

The announcement follows Chapo's address to the summit, in which he argued for the need to mobilise US$37.2 billion over the next ten years to fund Mozambique's climate adaptation, particularly through the construction of infrastructure resilient to extreme weather events and the protection of vulnerable communities.

According to figures presented by the head of state, between 2000 and 2025 Mozambique recorded more than 76 extreme climate events, which caused economic losses exceeding US$4.5 billion, underscoring the high costs associated with prevention, adaptation, and reconstruction.

Faced with this reality, Daniel Chapo called for greater participation by developed economies in climate financing for developing countries, arguing that states responsible for the largest share of global emissions must make commitments proportional to their historical responsibility for global warming.

"Climate justice must become a reality," the President declared, arguing that countries with the highest emissions levels should provide financial support to those that, despite contributing less to global warming, face particularly severe consequences.

Strengthening Early Warning Systems

The head of state also emphasised the importance of investing in early warning systems to reduce the human and economic losses caused by floods, cyclones, and droughts.

According to Daniel Chapo, the government intends to expand the coverage of these systems through the installation of new meteorological stations across districts, reinforcing the capacity for monitoring, prevention, and response to extreme climate events.

In his capacity as the African Union Champion for Disaster Risk Management, the President also advocated for strengthening early warning mechanisms across the African continent through greater access to financing, technology, and institutional capacity-building.

In this context, he highlighted the existence of more than 1,500 local disaster risk management committees in Mozambique, which support community preparedness and mobilisation in emergency situations.

Beyond international support, Daniel Chapo assured that the government will continue to mobilise domestic resources to address the effects of climate change, recognising the contribution of national companies and citizen solidarity in emergency operations.

"In a calamity, as in health, prevention is worth more than cure." — Daniel Chapo, President of the Republic

Meetings with International Partners

On the sidelines of COP31, the head of state met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to discuss the strengthening of cooperative relations.

Daniel Chapo also held a meeting with World Bank President Ajay Banga, focused on development projects and financing opportunities, and met with representatives of Turkish companies interested in investing in Mozambique, particularly in the agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, and tourism sectors.

The mobilisation of resources for climate adaptation is of particular importance for Mozambique given the country's exposure to extreme weather events. According to the National Disaster Risk Management and Reduction Institute (INGD), the 2025–2026 rainy season, running from October 2025 to April 2026, claimed 311 lives and affected approximately 1.07 million people.

COP31 runs from 9 to 20 November in Antalya, bringing together representatives from numerous countries to negotiate climate financing measures, emissions reductions, and adaptation to the effects of climate change.