The gathering, held at the Novotel Cotonou Orisha, brought together key stakeholders including representatives from the Béninese 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 Bénin.

Félix Kress, Cooperation Attaché at the German Embassy in Bénin, also represented the German diplomatic mission. His presence underscored the vital role international partners are expected to play in securing the necessary funding, providing technical support, and building capacity for the successful implementation of this new climate roadmap.

The NDC 3.0 spans the period from 2026 to 2035 and targets several sectors deemed particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Key areas identified for adaptation and resilience measures include agriculture, energy, water resources, forestry, public health, infrastructure, tourism, and the nation’s fragile coastal regions.

A financing need estimated at 14.5 billion dollars

Bénin aims to raise $14.5 billion to fund the initiatives outlined in its NDC 3.0. This figure represents the total financing requirement for the climate strategy; however, detailed information regarding the portion already secured or the breakdown between public funds, private investments, and external aid has not yet been specified.

These projected investments are critical for reducing the vulnerability of local territories, safeguarding essential infrastructure, and enhancing the ability of communities to cope with extreme climatic events. Furthermore, they are presented as a strategic means to secure economic activities that face threats from droughts, recurrent floods, coastal erosion, and the ongoing degradation of natural resources.

For Béninese authorities, the NDC 3.0 transcends a mere environmental commitment. It is designed to steer investment choices and integrate climate risks directly into public policies, major infrastructure projects, and broader economic development strategies.

Nevertheless, its effective implementation will largely depend on the country’s capacity to translate these ambitious objectives into concrete, funded, and executed projects. Technical and financial partners are thus called upon to play a crucial role in supporting resource mobilization, project development, and the diligent monitoring of results, particularly in the most exposed regions and among the most vulnerable populations.

Through this renewed contribution, Bénin 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 grand ambition for 2026-2035, including a precise project schedule, funding modalities, and monitoring mechanisms, are yet to be fully articulated.