It is time for the world to convene again and discuss climate solutions.

This year’s UN Climate Conference (COP28) will conclude its first-ever Global Stocktake, assessing the world’s collective progress on addressing the climate crisis, all eyes on how decision-makers will respond to it. COP28 will show how we have succeeded – or failed – in limiting global warming to 1.5°C and taking the necessary steps to stop the climate from changing, so we can all live on a healthy, prosperous planet.

Since the last climate conference held in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, NDF has continued to demonstrate how to efficiently invest in financing climate adaptation and mitigation in lower-income countries, and countries in fragile situations. In the past year, we have provided flexible and catalytic financing, committed millions to new and innovative climate projects, and levelled up our game in blended finance.

As we face disastrous consequences of climate change, the urgency of our actions couldn’t be clearer. We are witnessing tangible impacts of global warming across the world, from Nairobi to New York, from Manila to Helsinki. As a global community, we have the responsibility to invest in climate action in the countries that need it the most.

The tools to create positive impact are within our fingertips. We need to join forces. NDF has worked together with partners and has increasingly invested in blended finance, serving as a bridge between private and public sectors to fill the gaps of climate finance and cultivate meaningful partnerships to finance a sustainable future.

NDF will be present at COP28 in Dubai and engage in various critical topics in climate finance. We will be talking about our work in blended finance and the importance of the blue economy and investing in healthy oceans. We will also be talking about the rising gender inequalities that climate change has accelerated. And of course, we will be meeting with old and new partners to find solutions together. I encourage you to join the discussions at our events at the Nordic Pavilion.

My time as NDF’s Managing Director will come to an end in a few months and this will be my last COP in this role. I am determined to make it count together with the dynamic NDF team, that will continue to lead the way in climate finance.