Global South pushes hard on climate finance
Delegations from the Global South, via the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, are demanding a rapid fossil‑fuel phase‑out and trillions in accessible climate finance ahead of COP31 — it’s a coordinated push from vulnerable countries to move beyond pledges to cash and treaties. (downtoearth.org.in) Ghana’s climate minister warned leaders to deliver “real resources” not rhetoric, and smaller economies are already feeling pressure on food costs — Tajikistan’s president warned food prices will likely rise further in 2026. ( ) India’s engagement with the G7 process keeps climate and trade coordination on the agenda as these financing fights head into summit diplomacy. (usthadian.com)
The Kuala Lumpur Declaration was issued on March 30, 2026, following a Southeast Asia–South Asia preparatory meeting held in Kuala Lumpur from March 25–27. (downtoearth.org.in) Representatives from 12 countries formally adopted the declaration at the two‑day convening, and organisers said it will feed into joint advocacy at an April conference in Santa Marta, Colombia and at COP31 in Antalya, Turkey. (eco-business.com) The statement includes explicit calls for “trillions” in scaled‑up climate finance, a fossil‑fuel treaty, stronger support for adaptation and loss‑and‑damage, and a clear roadmap for coal, oil and gas phase‑out. (downtoearth.org.in) Ghana’s Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, urged clarity on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), a balanced mitigation–adaptation split, a higher share of grants, and simplified direct‑access finance mechanisms for Africa. (ghanamma.com) Tajik President Emomali Rahmon warned that global events and climate change will likely push food prices higher in 2026 and urged using spring to secure consumer supplies, a concern underscored by FAO‑linked forecasts of roughly 3.8% food‑price growth for Tajikistan in 2026. (caspianpost.com) France invited India to the June 15–17, 2026 G7 leaders’ summit in Évian, and Indian officials have framed their participation around coordinated action on climate, energy security and trade resilience. (business-standard.com) Organisers reported that 45 countries have already confirmed participation in the Colombia conference, including a cross‑regional list spanning Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific that organisers say will amplify the Kuala Lumpur demands into broader negotiating blocs. (downtoearth.org.in)
