Lesotho’s Deputy Prime Minister Delivers Powerful COP30 Speech on Climate Action

At last week’s COP30 Leaders’ Summit in Belém, Brazil, Lesotho’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Nthomeng Majara, delivered a speech that stood out for its clarity, urgency, and moral grounding. Her address placed Lesotho at the center of global climate discussions, highlighting the unique challenges and leadership of a small, landlocked nation facing severe climate impacts.

Speaking from the heart of the Amazon, Hon. Majara drew a vivid connection to Lesotho’s mountainous landscape. She emphasized that for her country, climate change is not abstract. “From every mountain, every foothill, every valley and every household, our people face severe climate impacts such as droughts, frost and floods. Climate change is no longer a threat. It is here, it is accelerating,” she said.

She underscored the existential stakes for least developed countries, noting that the 1.5°C target is not aspirational but a threshold for survival. Lesotho contributes less than 0.01% of global emissions but faces disproportionate consequences. Despite this, the country has committed to ambitious climate action through its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% unconditionally and up to 24% with international support by 2030.

Hon. Majara outlined Lesotho’s climate framework, including the 2017 Climate Change Policy, National Adaptation Plan, and Long-Term Strategy. She stressed that climate action is a moral imperative and detailed priority areas such as water, food systems, health, energy, and biodiversity. Key initiatives highlighted included:

• Expanding climate-resilient water infrastructure, including the Highlands Water Project.
• Accelerating solar and wind energy projects to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
• Restoring wetlands and rangelands through ecosystem-based adaptation.
• Strengthening early warning systems and climate mobility planning for displaced communities.

She emphasized that even countries with limited financial and technological capacity can lead with vision and determination. Hon. Majara called for urgent action on adaptation and loss and damage, highlighting Africa’s vulnerability. She noted that the continent is warming twice as fast as the global average and faces annual adaptation needs of US$70 billion, while only US$14.8 billion was delivered in 2023. Projected loss and damage costs for 2020–2030 range from US$290–440 billion.

Lesotho’s call to the international community includes tripling adaptation finance by 2030, establishing robust post-2030 support mechanisms, creating effective Global Goal on Adaptation indicators, and scaling up resources for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. She insisted that climate finance must be fair, predictable, and accessible.

In her closing remarks, Hon. Majara drew a symbolic link between Brazil’s Amazon rainforest and Lesotho’s mountains: “We are reminded that the forests of the Amazon and the mountains of Lesotho are part of one system — both vital, both vulnerable, and both deserving of protection. In Sesotho we say: a home is built by many hands. Let us protect our home, our Earth, with courage, fairness, and faith.”

Her speech reaffirmed Lesotho’s position as a moral and practical leader in climate action, showing that small nations can influence global policy through integrity, science-based planning, and a commitment to shared responsibility.

Watch her full speech here: https://www.youtube.com/live/GPoVO_32Wco?t=15824s