São Tomé and Príncipe launches climate resilience initiatives

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has launched the RESIslands initiative in São Tomé and Príncipe. Funded by the Green Climate Fund, this 30-month project aims to improve climate change preparedness across eight African nations, including Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau, through the African Island States Climate Commission (AISCC).

In São Tomé and Príncipe, the initiative focuses on strengthening national capacities to assess climate risks, enhance climate information, and develop investment proposals aligned with local priorities. The goal is to protect essential services and natural resources, such as marine environments, forests, and biodiversity, which support agriculture, fisheries, and sustainable tourism.

Simultaneously, youth in São Tomé and Príncipe are engaging in climate advocacy. Through a UNICEF-promoted workshop, adolescents and young people developed proposals and recommendations to inform the country’s position for the COP31 United Nations Climate Change Conference. These proposals address critical areas including water sanitation, coastal erosion, food security, clean energy, and climate financing.