As Malawi stands at a crossroads amid intensifying climate change shocks, the government has urged institutions that represented the country at COP30 to turn international promises into concrete action that delivers real benefits on the ground.
Chief Secretary Justin Saidi made the call on Monday in Lilongwe during a meeting reviewing outcomes of the global climate talks, officially known as the Conference of Parties, which were held in Belem, Brazil.
Saidi said organizations and government departments that attended the summit on Malawi’s behalf must ensure that resolutions reached at COP30 translate into tangible results for the country, warning that climate commitments are meaningless without implementation.
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“Whatever we got there, we have to implement here. Some of the programmes even came with funding, and we expect our people to deliver as agreed,” he said.
The review meeting brought together government officials, civil society organisations and climate advocates to share outcomes from COP30 with stakeholders who did not attend the conference.
He urged institutions, government branches and climate actors to urgently present measurable results that demonstrate both their commitment to national climate priorities and the value of Malawi’s participation in international climate negotiations.
Malawi has begun to benefit from the COP process, Saidi said, confirming that funding was secured for some climate-related projects. However, he acknowledged that several proposals failed to attract support, exposing gaps in project preparation.
“We need to work more on bankable projects. Some projects received funding and others did not, and as a country we have to take those lessons on board. When we go to COP31, we should be able to come back smiling, because no country can survive without addressing weather degradation and implementing projects that protect its people,” said Saidi.
Climate-related disasters have become increasingly frequent in Malawi, with floods and prolonged dry spells destroying crops, displacing communities and placing pressure on public resources.
Despite ongoing efforts by government and development partners, progress in reducing the impacts of climate change remains uneven.
“Some efforts are being made, but we need to do more. Climate change is already affecting the country, and if we do not strengthen how we work together and how we implement what we agree on, we will continue to face devastation. We need to move faster and make sure everyone is playing their role,” added Saidi.
COP30 delivered several outcomes aimed at supporting developing countries most vulnerable to climate change. Among them was political agreement to significantly scale up climate finance, including efforts to increase funding for adaptation to help countries cope with floods, droughts and extreme weather.
The summit also advanced work toward a long-term global climate finance goal expected to mobilise trillions of dollars annually for developing nations by 2035, alongside new road maps intended to make climate funding more accessible and easier to implement. New initiatives on forest protection, including financing mechanisms for countries that conserve natural ecosystems, were also launched.
In addition, COP30 placed renewed emphasis on implementation—urging countries to move faster on turning national climate plans into action—and highlighted the need for just and inclusive transitions that protect livelihoods while addressing climate risks.
However, many of the commitments remain political rather than legally binding, and questions persist over how quickly funding will reach countries like Malawi, where climate shocks are already exacting a heavy toll.