Ladies and Gentlemen,

Climate resilience as we all know is about saving lives, about livelihoods and about money.

Around the world, we are all facing with a genuine and urgent threat to our homes and our lands.

We need much more mitigation.

The problem is so large that we need to adapt to these climate-related risks.

 

First, a word on what were doing in Europe on the matter.

Were currently working on a new ‘European Plan for Climate Resilience.

This will include the first-ever legislation on resilience to climate change at the EU level.

Investing in adaptation protects people and jobs – and we want to show that theres a clear business case.

The cost of not investing in climate resilience far outweighs the cost of proactive measures and upfront investments.

With 1 euro invested in prevention, we could save up to 14 euro in repairs. We just need to do it on time, because otherwise it does not work. 

 

Second, a word on financing.

To put it plain and simple, we need more of it. Much more of it. 

The EU and its Member States remain the largest providers of public climate finance, and we will continue to financially support international climate action.

We need more public finance, specifically for the most vulnerable countries struggling with the highest levels of debt and limited fiscal space.

For example, debt-for-climate resilience operations are still underused – the EU supported one such operation in Barbados in 2024 which aims for fiscal savings and investments in climate-resilient water management. 

Public sector investment is not going to be enough. 

But we also need much more private investment.

As government, we need to be giving the right policy signals to show climate resilience is a big economic opportunity for investors and companies.

More broadly, climate resilience must now be a core element of every business strategy.

It needs to be about future-proofing assets, ensuring markets remain functional, and unlocking growth in an economy where climate volatility is the new normal.

This is not a matter for developing countries alone.

We all have skin in the game.

The EU has know-how and tools to offer and truly seeks to collaborate on this. 

 

 

Third and final point on how we make it all work.

There is an important role for governments and public authorities.

Governments can break down financing barriers.

They can build frameworks for disaster risk insurance.

And they can help to coordinate between institutions to clarify climate risk roles.

Private-public finance cooperation will also be critical.

One example from back home is Global Gateway.

We have EU-backed guarantee programmes that aim to lower political and credit risk and help private capital flow into climate-resilient infrastructure.

Such guarantees address two main investor concerns: project readiness and risk.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

We do need to make climate resilience a priority in our policymaking.

We also need proper financing.

But we also need to understand the needs on the ground.

Im happy were going to get a new tool to measure adaptation actions and progress at COP30.

 

In conclusion, adaptation yields a triple dividend.

It avoids losses.

It provides economic benefits.

And it brings extra benefits like cleaner air and stronger communities.  

This is about protecting our people, prosperity and competitiveness, today and tomorrow.