The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is teaming up with the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the African Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) to support the Union of Comoros in developing resilient maritime infrastructure. This collaboration aims to boost the country’s port capacities, foster regional trade, and ensure long-term sustainability in the face of climate change through the Comoros Maritime Corridor Development and Regional Trade Facilitation Project.
Comoros, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the Indian Ocean, faces significant challenges due to its geographic isolation, economic constraints, and vulnerability to climate hazards like earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and tsunamis. The nation’s economy relies heavily on maritime trade, fisheries, agriculture, and tourism, necessitating resilient infrastructure for sustainable growth and integration into broader continental trade networks.
The $247.58 million project, supported by the AfDB and international partners such as the European Investment Bank, the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Agence Française de Développement, will develop and upgrade port infrastructure across Comoros’ three islands: Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan. This initiative will increase port capacity and productivity, enabling Comoros to transition from a trade zone of 1 million people to a market connected with over 1.2 billion people across Africa.
GCA’s role is crucial in ensuring that these developments are climate-resilient. The organization is providing technical support to conduct comprehensive climate risk assessments and stress tests for the Moroni port (Grande Comore), Boingoma port (Mohéli), and Mutsamudu port (Anjouan). This includes a detailed climate hazard assessment, vulnerability analysis, and the identification of adaptation strategies to protect these critical trade hubs.
“Our collaboration with the African Development Bank under the African Adaptation Acceleration Program marks a significant step towards securing the future of Comoros’ maritime infrastructure,” said Professor Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation. “Through AAAP, we are not merely addressing the immediate needs of expanding port capacity but are also laying the foundation for long-term resilience in the face of escalating climate risks.”
The project also includes capacity building through GCA’s Climate Resilient Infrastructure Masterclass, designed to equip institutional stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to manage and maintain resilient infrastructure. This ensures that local authorities and project implementers are well-prepared to make informed decisions regarding adaptation strategies.
With an implementation period from 2024 to 2029, the project is expected to directly benefit approximately 800,000 people, including over 50% women and youth under 30, by securing jobs, enhancing trade opportunities, and fostering economic growth. This initiative is a key component of the Comoros government’s Plan Comores Émergent, which focuses on the blue economy, including fisheries, coastal tourism, and safe maritime transportation as drivers of national development.
About the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA)
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that promotes adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Founded in 2018, GCA operates from the largest floating office in the world, located in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and has a global network of regional offices in Abidjan, Dhaka, and Beijing, with a new office set to open in Nairobi in 2025. GCA works to climate-proof development by influencing policy reforms and investments by international financial institutions and the private sector. The organization aims to bring climate adaptation to the forefront of the global fight against climate change.
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