Guinea-Bissau launched the RESIslands initiative on 6 October 2026. The program aims to strengthen national capacity to assess climate risks and develop investment proposals to protect communities, livelihoods, and ecosystems.
Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), this preparatory initiative spans 30 months and covers nine member countries of the African Islands States Climate Commission (AISCC), including Guinea-Bissau.
Environmental Threats to Coastal Areas and the Bijagós Archipelago
Coastal zones, mangroves, and the Bijagós archipelago support fishing, agriculture, and food security in Guinea-Bissau. These sectors face rising sea levels, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and changing rainfall patterns.
The UNICEF representative in Guinea-Bissau and interim UN Resident Coordinator, Inoussa Kaboré, emphasized the urgency of the situation during the launch:
« For Guinea-Bissau, climate change does not represent a future threat. It is already affecting livelihoods, food security, and economic development »
The Minister of Environment and Climate Action, Carlos Pinto Pereira, stressed the need for adaptation measures that protect both livelihoods and ecosystems. He also noted that deploying equipment and technologies requires training and sustained support for local populations.
Identification of Ten Preliminary Adaptation Projects
Project activities have documented an initial inventory of 17 existing initiatives in the country. Concurrently, three national technicians are undergoing online training in climate risk assessment.
Ten preliminary project ideas have been selected for review and validation. They address early warning systems, coastal resilience, agriculture, water security, fisheries, urban resilience, and access to renewable energy for essential services. These proposals remain subject to national validation and future funding decisions.
Alignment with AISCC’s Regional Commitments
The initiative aligns with Guinea-Bissau’s regional participation in the African Islands States Climate Commission. It builds on the Guinea-Bissau Pathway for African Island States, adopted at the ministerial conference held in Bissau in 2025.
In addition to Guinea-Bissau, RESIslands includes Cabo Verde, the Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, the Seychelles, and Tanzania for Zanzibar during its 30-month implementation period.
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The facts in this article come from the following sources:
- 1Guinea-Bissau launches RESIslands to strengthen climate resilience and prepare climate investment proposalsCommission économique des Nations unies pour l'Afrique · 7 October 2026 official source
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