Africa has been waiting to hear from United States President Joe Biden on how his government will support climate change mitigation.

Each country was interested to know how much they will contribute towards rebuilding the world heavily affected by climate change. And many were also interested to hear from Biden what his country will say on methane emissions target by 2030.

Biden: Our targets will be metdisrespecting

At 5pm on Friday, thousands gathered at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt where the United Nations Conference of Parties (CoP27) is taking place.

In his 35-minute address, Biden announced a $150 million plan to help African nations adapt to the climate emergency.

He also pledged to support Egypt and Nigeria which lost people to floods and Angola where a solar project has started.

Biden said the US will meet its emissions targets by 2030 with special focus on oil and gas industries.

Present during Biden’s presentations were some government officials, including Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Eisenhower Mkaka.

Mkaka and the ministry’s deputy director of environmental affairs Shamiso Banda could not immediately comment on Biden’s speech, saying they need time to do so.

Banda said when they were coming to the conference they had some demands which include the need to increase the adaptation funds for developing countries from $100 billion to $200 billion.

“Our position as a country is that this money has to be doubled because of what we have faced due to climate change. We need those developing countries to double that figure,” she said.

Banda further said another critical issue for Malawi is “loss and damage financing which was not given much attention in previous meetings.

“So, we are saying there is a need to dedicate a separate financing mechanism for loss and damage. Our request is to have a special financing.

“The third issue is special consideration for Africa being one of the most vulnerable continents; hence, it needs more funds.”

She said by next week they will know whether their requests have been considered.

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