As world leaders gather in Belém, Brazil, for COP30, representatives from Centre Arrupe Madagascar, with support from Jesuit Missions are once again bringing to the global stage the urgent voice of one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations.

“Madagascar is among the most climate vulnerable countries in the world,” explains Efa Ravelonantoandro, Programme Manager for Environment and Sustainable Development at Centre Arrupe. The country’s vulnerability stems from a combination of factors: limited capacity for adaptation, high exposure to extreme weather events, and deep socio-economic challenges.

With over 75 percent of its population living below the poverty line, Madagascar faces the devastating effects of climate change every day—despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Across the island, the effects of climate change are tangible and severe. In the North, cyclones such as Batsirai have repeatedly destroyed homes, crops, and livelihoods. In the South, prolonged droughts and advancing desertification have brought hunger, water scarcity, and displacement to countless families. The East and West suffer frequent locust invasions that ravage crops and threaten food security, while the capital, Antananarivo, faces recurrent power shortages due to reduced hydropower generation caused by lower rainfall.

These realities underscore the urgency with which climate action must move from promises to implementation.

At COP30, Centre Arrupe Madagascar is working alongside global partners in the Jesuit network to advocate for climate justice and resilience for vulnerable nations. The team’s priorities are clear and grounded in both justice and solidarity:

1. Reaffirmation of past climate commitments

2. Cancellation of climate debt that continues to burden developing countries

3. Effective implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund

4. A just and equitable energy transition

5. Strengthening of food sovereignty through agroecological practices

“Our team aims to build partnerships by presenting climate project proposals to potential technical and financial partners attending the conference,” says Efa Ravelonantoandro. “We seek support for concrete climate resilience initiatives in Madagascar and express our full support for the Jesuit Climate Justice advocacy, which promotes social and ecological justice at global and local levels.”

Centre Arrupe Madagascar’s participation at COP30 is not just about advocacy—it is about ensuring that the voices of the most affected are heard in spaces where global decisions are made. They call for strong unity among delegates from developing countries and genuine engagement from developed nations, especially those with the resources and responsibility to act.

The hope is that COP30 will mark a turning point: one that delivers tangible progress, such as simplified procedures for accessing climate funds, and ensures that countries like Madagascar can implement effective, locally driven solutions to the climate crisis.

“We hope COP30 will be a moment for action—where commitments are no longer delayed, and justice is no longer postponed,” says Efa.

Through its work, Centre Arrupe Madagascar continues to embody the Jesuit mission of promoting faith, justice, and care for our common home—amplifying the call for a world where ecological and social justice walk hand in hand.

The Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) invites you to follow the updates from Jesuit representatives as they share reflections, stories, and action from the ground during COP30 on the following links:

Jesuit Missions [HERE]

Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat -SJES, Rome [HERE] and

Ecojesuit [HERE]