AYV News, June 26, 2026
The Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, has represented Sierra Leone at the high-level Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Compact Roundtable held at the historic Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna.
The meeting was convened by the OPEC Fund for International Development in partnership with the Government of Barbados, bringing together leaders from 78 climate-vulnerable economies, including heads of state, ministers, and development finance institutions. The discussions focused on reshaping global financial systems to better support countries facing increasing climate risks.
Dr. Yumkella, speaking on behalf of Sierra Leone and other climate-affected nations in the Global South, delivered a strong message emphasizing that vulnerability should be seen as a transition point rather than a permanent condition.
He noted that the main challenge confronting climate-vulnerable countries is not the absence of viable solutions, but limited access to appropriate and scalable financing mechanisms needed to implement them effectively.
The V2V Compact outlined a new development approach anchored on four key pillars: scaling concessional financing for essential services such as water, education, and health; mobilizing private and blended capital through guarantees and risk-sharing instruments; strengthening country ownership aligned with national climate and development strategies; and introducing shock-responsive debt tools to safeguard essential services during crises.
Dr. Yumkella stressed that energy access remains central to development, noting its critical role in powering healthcare delivery, education systems, water supply, and economic productivity.
The roundtable also featured calls for reform of the global financial architecture, with leaders such as Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados urging long-term investment frameworks that prioritize resilience and human development. The Kandeh K. Yumkellareaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to ensuring that climate-vulnerable nations are not only participants in global dialogue but active shapers of global solutions.
The gathering, held within one of Europe’s historic political landmarks, underscored a growing international consensus on the need for fairer, more inclusive climate finance systems that support sustainable and resilient development.
For Sierra Leone’s PI-CREF, the engagement marks a continued effort to position the country at the forefront of global climate advocacy and sustainable development planning.
