19 February 2026

Global Finance Leaders Convene in Kampala to Mainstream Climate and Nature into Economic Policy

Group Photo from CFMCA's Annual Meeting in Kampala

9-11 February, 2026: Nearly 100 representatives from over 30 member countries and a dozen institutional partners attended the Annual In-Person Global Deputies Meeting of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action (CFMCA) in Kampala. Co-chaired by Uganda, the Netherlands, and Croatia, the gathering served as a platform for exchange of best practices and capacity building across the proposed 2026-2028 themes of the Coalition of Finance Ministers’ Strategic Work Program.

As a strategic partner, PAGE supports the Coalition’s efforts to strengthen ministries’ capacity to integrate climate and just transition considerations into macroeconomic and fiscal policy. This includes providing technical inputs for updating the Flagship Guide, a key reference for incorporating climate and environmental considerations into fiscal decision-making, as well as contributing to the Coalition of Finance Ministers’ work on macroeconomic modelling, climate-informed fiscal policy, green finance, and adaptation finance through policy dialogue, analytical support, and peer learning.

Key Initiatives Advanced

Progress on Flagship Guide 2.0, titled “Strengthening the Role of Ministries of Finance in Driving Climate Action,” was at the center of the meeting. Scheduled for release in October 2026, the guide will also guide finance ministries action on adaptation, nature and biodiversity, and green industrial policy, with PAGE helping to shape the content.

The Coalition also advanced its Economic Analysis for Green and Resilient Transitions Initiative to bolster ministries’ modeling capacities, now the foundation for the Cross-Cutting Working Group on Economic Analysis, to equip finance ministries with the “fit-for-purpose” analytical tools, data, and modeling capacity needed to effectively integrate climate considerations into their core fiscal policies and national budgets.

Back-to-back with the Coalition of Finance Ministers’ deputies meeting, PAGE partnered with Uganda’s Makerere University to organize the First Annual African Symposium on Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic modelling (February 12–13). This symposium aligns with the Coalition’s work by strengthening Africa’s analytical and institutional capacity to integrate climate and natural capital considerations into macroeconomic and fiscal policy, with PAGE strategically bridging CFMCA’s global initiatives to regional implementation in Africa.

2025 Highlights and 2026 Priorities

The meeting opened with a review of 2025 achievements, progress assessments, and reflections on the international climate finance landscape for 2026 and beyond. Members shared regional and global priorities alongside national policy instruments, including Uganda’s green taxonomies and carbon markets, Zambia’s climate-debt sustainability approaches, and Ireland’s tax expenditures for climate action.

Discussions emphasized climate action as a catalyst for economic growth, the political economy and social impacts of such measures, and practical toolkits, case studies, and peer exchanges as core delivery tools. The spotlight was also on the Coalition’s vital senior-level convening power amid geopolitical challenges, and a call for members to step up with climate policies and financial support.

Deep Dives into Policy Themes and Solutions

The opening session set the tone for the meeting. Mr. Moses Kaggwa, Director of Economic Affairs, from Uganda, welcomed the participants and explained the economic stakes of climate change for growth, agriculture, and tourism in Uganda. He stressed that “the role of Ministries of Finance in addressing climate change has never been more critical”, pointing to tightening fiscal pressures and rising climate risks.

The second day began with an inspiring opening speech by Hon. Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, Uganda’s Minister of State for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. Delegates explored policy themes for the next three years through breakout sessions on driving whole-of-economy transformation, aligning fiscal incentives, boosting adaptation and resilience, and mobilizing private finance at scale. Case studies from Brazil and Sweden highlighted coordination solutions and climate risk integration in public investments, while an “IP Marketplace” enabled networking for technical support.

Outcomes

Over the course of the three-day gathering, members aligned on the strategic direction and priorities for 2026. Discussions focused on three core areas: strengthening global engagement by aligning policy contributions across key international fora; reinforcing member leadership by enhancing the Coalition’s member-driven nature and regional convening power; and shaping clear political messaging, including preparations for an impactful ministerial meeting at the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings 2026.

The concluding session reflected renewed momentum and a shared sense of direction for the year ahead, underscored by reflections from Secretary Sharon S. Yang and Co-Chairs Ralien Bekkers (Netherlands), Silvija Belajec (Croatia), and Dr. Sam Koojo (Uganda).