DILI, 12 May 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste called for stronger international support for climate adaptation financing during a high-level dialogue in Vienna under the LIFE-AR initiative, as vulnerable nations face mounting climate risks and shifting donor priorities.
Vice Minister Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes participated in and addressed a high-level reflection dialogue in Vienna on May 7, under the LIFE-AR initiative (Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience), accompanied by Adão Soares Barbosa, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, representing Timor-Leste as a member of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
This high-level event was co-hosted by the Chair of the LDC Group, Ambassador Adão Soares Barbosa (Timor-Leste), and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management. Austria is a LIFE-AR Compact signatory whose partnership signals a strong political commitment to adaptation in support of the world’s most vulnerable countries.
Vice Minister had the honor of addressing the meeting on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDC), with Timor-Leste currently serving as Chair. H.E. Vice Minister also emphasized that the LDC represents 44 countries and more than one billion people — those who have contributed the least to climate change, yet bear its most severe consequences.
As the global climate financing landscape for climate adaptation is shifting rapidly, the dialogue focused on donor priorities that are being reshaped by competing geopolitical demands. Nevertheless, the need for climate action in the world’s most vulnerable countries has never been more urgent.
LIFE is the only LDC-owned and LDC-led initiative working to transform how climate finance is accessed, governed, and delivered for LDCs. Initiated by the LDC Group in 2018, LIFE-AR aims to strengthen LDC institutions, systems, and individual capacities to lead their own climate and development pathways by investing in systems that enable climate finance to reach the local level, with Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) at its core.
In the meantime, Ambassador Adão delivered welcoming remarks at the dialogue on behalf of the Least Developed Countries. He expressed his deepest appreciation to the Government of Austria, a LIFE-AR Compact signatory, for hosting the dialogue. This spirit of partnership signals the kind of political commitment upon which LIFE-AR was built.
Ambassador Adão also emphasized that this is a critical and pivotal moment, underscoring the importance of partnerships in achieving the LDC vision.
As the purpose for the dialogue, there are points considered; Officially launch LIFE-AR’s updated Strategy (2026–2030) and the transition roadmap toward an independent LDC Facility
Showcase country-level results and lessons learned, and discuss climate finance access barriers for LDCs and how they can be addressed
Strengthen the political link between COP30 and COP31 in conversation with the incoming COP31 presidency
Invite new partners to sign the LIFE-AR Partnership Compact and commit to scaling up locally led approaches
The dialogue was designed to go beyond a traditional donor roundtable; it aimed to be a compelling, results-oriented event with space for genuine dialogue and co-creation. A networking reception hosted by the Austrian Government followed, providing further opportunities for informal exchange.
This donor dialogue meeting concluded that donor countries and partners have commitment to provide their financial contributions to LIFE AR for enabling LLA in LDC countries. More importantly, Turkey as COP31 Presidency will sign the LIFE AR compact at COP31.
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