Background

With support from the Governments of Japan and Australia, in cooperation with the Governments of Samoa and Singapore, and in collaboration with the World Resources Institute (WRI), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) organized on 1-3 September 2011 in Singapore a series of consultations on current issues relating to the financing of climate change programs and design of a new global architecture for climate finance.

Objectives

The purpose of the consultations was to allow representatives from Asian and Pacific countries and stakeholders from civil society and the private sector the opportunity to discuss emerging arrangements for global climate change financing – especially relating to design of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The consultations were meant to facilitate dialogue and build mutual understanding on future directions for climate change finance, creating greater awareness of global and regional implications of and options for GCF design among country representatives and interested stakeholders. Members of the Transitional Committee (TC) for Design of the GCF who attended had the opportunity to hear differing perspectives on what is needed in design of the GCF from representatives drawn from three perspectives: (i) government finance, economic, environment and foreign affairs agencies, (ii) the private sector, and (iii) civil society.

Expected outputs

Participants exchanged views in an open and informal setting covering the topics of current climate financing needs and the purpose, governance, operational modalities and other structural elements of the GCF – including relationships with other sources of climate finance. Special attention was given to discussion of the measures needed to use public funds effectively in leveraging and mobilizing the private sector for additional capital and knowledge.

Target participants

There were 32 countries represented, with a total of 51 government officials in attendance. They were joined by more than 20 private sector and civil society representatives at the meetings invited for their knowledge of leveraging private sector engagement in climate action.

Resource speakers

Pacific Countries Dialogue on Climate Finance and GCF Design. On 1 September 2011, the meeting brought together representatives from 8 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Pacific as well as Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore. This was in recognition of the special difficulties these countries face in gaining access to information on climate finance and the limited forums for their perspectives to be expressed. Participants received a briefing GCF design and current issues, and they developed a set of views during a session chaired by the TC member from Samoa, representing SIDS.

Regional Stakeholder Consultations on Climate Finance and GCF Design. On 2 September, the meeting began with remarks by TC members from Australia, Japan, Pakistan and Singapore. Special emphasis was given in the program to the topic of mobilizing private sector investment for climate action and opportunities for wider engagement with the private sector, with panels of private sector representatives serving as the basis for an active discussion. The final session centered on identifying roles for civil society in the design and implementation of international climate financing.

Regional Dialogue on GCF Design. On 3 September, the meeting brought together government representatives from 32 countries from across Asia and the Pacific. Discussions focused on current issues in the GCF design, including especially access modalities, country resource allocations, windows and the role of the private sector. A desire was expressed for further dialogue as GCF evolves.