Mauritius: Launch of the $4.95 Million RESIslands Project for Climate Resilience

The Mauritian government and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) launched the RESIslands project on September 25, 2026, in Port-Louis. Funded at approximately $4.95 million by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with $250,000 specifically allocated for its implementation in Mauritius, the initiative covers nine African island states and is led in partnership with the African Island States Climate Commission (AISCC), according to the ECA. The launch ceremony brought together around 40 government officials and regional partners. Junior Minister of Agro-Industry and the Blue Economy, Dr Arvin Boolell, stated that "strengthened institutional capacities, better use of climate and disaster risk information, and closer regional cooperation are essential to enable island states to effectively respond to increasingly complex climate risks." The UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles stressed that "for Mauritius, climate change is already a reality," affecting coastal areas, water resources, and economic activities. The ECA highlighted Mauritius' potential to become a "sustainable finance hub for the region," thanks to its developed financial sector and investment-grade credit rating. The project aims to strengthen institutional coordination, build a portfolio of climate-resilient bankable projects, and facilitate access to GCF financing and other international windows.