Climate funding gap 'a matter of survival' for Madagascar, president tells COP31

What the report says

Madagascar’s President Michael Randrianirina used the COP31 climate talks to press world leaders for substantially more climate finance, saying the funding shortfall is a matter of survival for his country. According to Anadolu Agency Africa, he framed climate justice as a shared obligation and urged governments to treat support for vulnerable nations as a collective responsibility.

The remarks highlight the pressure facing low-emission countries that are already dealing with the effects of climate change. Madagascar, like other island and developing states, has been exposed to severe weather, environmental stress and limited resources for adaptation. In that context, the president’s appeal centered on the gap between the needs of frontline countries and the money currently available to help them cope.

The statement also reflects a broader debate at international climate summits over who should pay for adaptation, loss and damage, and resilience measures. While the source excerpt does not provide details on specific pledges or negotiations, it underscores that financing remains a central issue for countries seeking stronger commitments from wealthier emitters and donors.

The comments were made at COP31, the latest round of UN climate negotiations, where leaders and delegations typically discuss emissions cuts, adaptation support and climate finance arrangements.