FEATURES

High Seas Treaty Enters Into Force
The first legally binding ocean instrument to provide for inclusive ocean governance, known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, entered into force on January 17, 120 days after at least 60 countries have ratified the treaty.

Liberia to Implement Carbon Levy on Maritime Shipping
The Republic of Liberia becomes the third African country to introduce a carbon levy on maritime shipping, after Djibouti’s and Gabon’s domestic implementation. Starting on March 1 this year, the country will impose a USD 25 per tonne fee on CO2 emitted by ships entering and leaving its ports.

Marshall Islands Pioneers Climate Resilience Strategy for Atoll Nations
The Blue-Green Atolls Project by the Republic of Marshall Islands begins its preparation phase after securing approval from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund. Initial stages include technical assessments, stakeholder engagement, and the mobilization of complementary public and private finance. With the United Nations Development Programme as the implementing agency, the project receives USD 38.5 million from co-financing and USD 8.537 million from the GEF Project Grant.

Fellowship Sessions Empower Climate Leaders to Drive Bold Action
January 2026 witnessed a transformative gathering of climate champions as the CVF-V20 Secretariat hosted a series of fellowship retreats and a residency to equip youth and mid-to-senior-level officials from the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations with co-learning and networking opportunities necessary to advance ambitious development-positive climate action.

CVF-V20 Backs Evidence-Based Climate and Economic Decisions in Pakistan
The CVF-V20 Secretariat met with Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change, H.E. Dr. Musadik Malik, on January 8 to align on how CVF-V20 tools and approaches can support national decision-making and delivery on climate and economic priorities. The discussion focused on positioning the Green Economy Model–Prosperity (GEM-P) as a practical, evidence-based tool for the Prime Minister’s Task Force, alongside advancing the launch and implementation of Pakistan’s Climate Prosperity Plan (CPP).

Viet Nam Calls for Stronger Global Commitments and Climate Finance at COP30
At the High-Level Segment of the COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam’s delegation, led by Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh, recalled the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capabilities (CBRD-RC), demanding stronger action and financial commitment from the developed world.

Dealing with loss and damage in COP26
Loss and damage from human induced climate change is an issue that has emerged in recent years, as the adverse impacts of climate change are becoming more and more visible around the world, ranging from more severe cyclones to super wildfires and frequent floods, as well as heat waves and droughts […]

Honouring the Paris Agreement Goals: A way forward
Farhana Yamin is an international climate change lawyer, activist and deputy chair of the Expert Advisory Group of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, an international

Climate change ambitions at the end of 2020: Good news and bad
Dr Saleemul Huq is Director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development at the Independent University Bangladesh. Article Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/politics-climate-change/news/climate-change-ambitions-the-end-2020-good-news-and-bad-2026697 One of the

“Midnight” – a creation by CVF Ambassador for Culture Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner
This December marks the 5th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement, a crucial global climate treaty. The Pacific played a pivotal role in pushing countries to adopt more robust commitments – and has continued to lobby for necessary climate measures.

Guidance on Enhancing Paris NDC Targets in 2020
There can be no ambiguity that all nations agreed world governments to be called, in this 5th anniversary year of the Paris Agreement

Climate Vulnerable Forum can change the paradigm on dealing with climate change
The Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), consisting of nearly 50 of the most climate vulnerable developing countries, which was set up a decade ago on the basis of their common vulnerability to climate change, has now evolved into a more robust group of countries who are no longer only emphasising their vulnerability but rather moving towards resilience.



