Policy Updates

On September 29, 2025, the German government announced it provided a record EUR11.8 billion (US$13.8 billion) in international climate finance in 2024, meeting its annual pledge with EUR6.1 billion (US$7.2 billion) from the federal budget and mobilizing over EUR1 billion (US$1.2 billion) in private funding for the first time.

The total amount represents Germany's contribution to the international commitment of US$100 billion annually from industrialized nations. The EUR6.1 billion (US$7.2 billion) from the budget, an increase from EUR5.7 billion (US$6.7 billion) in 2023, was primarily funded by the BMZ at 79%. The remaining funds came from the IKI.

Mobilized funds totaled EUR5.7 billion (US$6.7 billion), which included EUR4.6 billion (US$5.4 billion) in market-rate loans from development banks KfW and DEG. Notably, private funding mobilized for climate investments more than doubled, reaching over EUR1 billion (US$1.2 billion) compared to EUR475 million (US$556 million) in 2023. Approximately EUR1.5 billion (US$1.8 billion) of the budget funds were allocated to climate-related biodiversity projects. The announcement was made ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

On September 19, 2025, the JICA distributed its first installment of a US$61 million loan agreement with Masdar IPH Wind S.A.E for a 200MW wind farm in Ras Ghareb, Egypt.

The project aims to increase the renewable electricity supply in Egypt and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The financing is co-financed with the EBRD, PROPARCO, and the GCF.

The project includes the construction and operation of the wind farm, as well as transmission lines and substation facilities. The borrower, Masdar IPH Wind S.A.E, has a PPA with the EETC for the full purchase of the electricity generated, guaranteed by the Ministry of Finance of Egypt.

On September 19, 2025, the UN treaty to protect the high seas reached its required 60-ratification threshold after Morocco and Sierra Leone formally joined, clearing the way for its entry into force in January 2026.

The BBNJ agreement was adopted in June 2023. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the ratification a historic achievement. UN Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen also welcomed the development.

The agreement establishes legally binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in the two-thirds of the ocean beyond national boundaries. The framework aims to create marine protected areas, ensure fair sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources, and strengthen scientific cooperation. Its entry into force on January 17, 2026, will support the GBF pledge to protect 30% of sea areas by 2030. Guterres urged all remaining Member States to join the treaty.

On September 18, 2025, the Verata Nursing Station in Fiji officially reopened following major climate-resilient renovations and the installation of solar power, funded by the KOICA.

The upgrades were completed under the multi-year SHAPE, which is implemented in partnership with the WHO and the MHMS. The project aims to ensure Fiji's health system can keep people safe amid growing climate-related threats such as stronger storms and floods.

Minister for MHMS Hon. Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, WHO Representative Dr Mark Jacobs, and KOICA Fiji Country Director Ms Hankyulsam Cho all highlighted the importance of the collaboration in building stronger, safer, and more resilient health services for the people of Fiji.

The broader SHAPE has also strengthened five other health facilities, installed solar power in 18 facilities, trained over 600 health workers, and improved disease surveillance and community adaptation to climate change impacts.

On September 11, 2025, Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Dr. Musalia Mudavadi and South Korean Ambassador His Excellency Kang Hyung-Shik met in Nairobi to reaffirm their countries' partnership, focusing on enhancing cooperation in trade, innovation, and green growth.

Mudavadi highlighted Korea's contribution to Kenya's development in sectors including ICT, education, and agriculture. Key joint projects include the Konza Digital Media City, the Kenya-AIST, and the recently established International Vaccine Institute offices at the Konza Technopolis.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary underscored Kenya's commitment to enhancing cooperation in labor mobility, energy, and climate change action. He welcomed Korea’s support through KOICA projects and the planned opening of the Korea Exim Bank in Nairobi. Both officials committed to deepening cooperation in green economy initiatives, with Kenya expressing interest in joining the Global Green Growth Institute.

On September 1, 2025, the KFS and the UNCCD held an international forum in Seoul, South Korea, to review the PFI and its role in using forest restoration for peacebuilding.

The PFI, launched in 2019, aims to restore degraded land in border and conflict-prone areas to build trust and promote the peaceful use of natural resources. The forum brought together climate envoys, international organizations, and civil society groups to discuss the initiative's achievements and strategies.

Discussions highlighted case studies, including a forest peace model in Bosnia and Herzegovina developed with the FAO and the UNDP, as well as climate security responses in Central Asia. During the event, memoranda of understanding were signed to advance peace building efforts in these regions.

On August 27, 2025, Norway's delegation, led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, released its priorities for the 80^th UNGA, focusing on fostering multilateral cooperation through the UN80 Initiative, promoting international law, and advancing the 2030 Agenda, while reaffirming its commitment to allocate 1% of GNI to ODA.

Amid geopolitical upheaval and a financial crisis at the UN, Norway will focus on countering polarization and supporting the UN80 reform initiative to make the organization more effective. The Norwegian delegation, which also includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide and Minister of International Development Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, will work to restore trust in the multilateral system, which is under pressure from Russia's war in Ukraine and reduced funding from major donors like the US.

Key priorities include promoting respect for international law, defending human rights with a focus on gender equality, and enhancing the UN's capacity for peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Norway will also continue to push for disarmament and maintain the UN's capacity to respond to humanitarian crises. The delegation will advance the 2030 Agenda, with special emphasis on financing for development, climate action, global health, and ocean sustainability.

On August 25^th, 2025, Spain's MAEC signed three new SDPF with the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, and Honduras to consolidate cooperation aligned with the partner countries' national priorities.

The agreements are part of the reform of Spain’s sustainable development cooperation policy, implementing Law 1/2023 and the Spanish Cooperation Master Plan 2024-2027. The frameworks align with each country's priorities, focusing on social, ecological, and economic transitions.

Key areas of focus include reducing extreme poverty in Honduras, strengthening the rule of law in the Dominican Republic, and advancing gender equality in Paraguay.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares stated that the agreements strengthen Spain's commitment to the 2030 Agenda. New frameworks were also adopted with Peru, Ecuador, and the Philippines. Frameworks with Senegal, Colombia, and Guatemala are in progress, with Jordan to follow.

On August 26, 2025, the UNDP Climate Finance Network and UNCDF convened over 150 participants from 20 countries in Bangkok for a dialogue on mobilizing inclusive climate finance to build resilience in the Asia-Pacific region.

The dialogue addressed the Asia-Pacific region's extreme vulnerability to climate change and the widening gap between funding needs and available resources. UNDP Deputy Regional Director Christophe Bahuet noted the importance of equipping governments with sustainable finance mechanisms to respond to crises. With official development assistance projected to decline, UNCDF's Maria Perdomo stressed the urgent need to mobilize private sector capital for climate action, particularly in the most vulnerable countries.

Key partners, including the UK's FCDO and Sweden, echoed the dialogue's urgent message. Head of Climate and Environment, Indo-Pacific Regional Department at the FCDO John Warburton emphasized that adaptation finance is a matter of survival and fairness. Annamaria Oltorp from the Embassy of Sweden highlighted the need to mobilize resources and forge stronger public-private partnerships to drive collective climate action.

The conference also highlighted successful regional initiatives, such as Indonesia raising over US$10 billion through green bonds and Thailand raising over US$800 million from sustainability-linked bonds. The three-day event aims to find pathways for stronger collaboration and new financing initiatives to accelerate access to climate finance for vulnerable communities.

On August 15, 2025, the Norwegian MCE announced the NOGER Initiative, backed by a NOK8.2 billion (US$803 million) mandate from the Norwegian Parliament to support emission reductions in developing countries through the Paris Agreement's Article 6 framework.

The NOGER Initiative facilitates voluntary cooperation, or carbon trading, between countries to achieve emission targets. This mechanism is intended to help both host and buyer countries increase their climate ambitions beyond their current NDCs.

By promoting this cooperation, the initiative aims to accelerate the global green transition and mobilize private investment in green solutions. The initiative builds on Norway's long-standing experience in international climate cooperation.