(3 Minutes Read)
The declaration will serve as Africa’s position as it prepares to present a united front at November’s COP30 climate talks. The Summit focused on climate finance and African-led solutions as the continent’s leaders look to present a unified voice ahead of COP30 negotiations in Bélem, Brazil in November. Panelists discussed the strategy and messages the continent should present at the convention.
African leaders wrapped up the second Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia’s capital recently with a pledge to accelerate investment in renewable energy. The summit’s declaration also called for establishing a coalition of African critical mineral producers. It also urged more climate financing from the international community.
The African Union called for a global climate finance architecture that eases the debt burden on developing countries. The summit brought together African heads of state, civil society, researchers, and international partners under the theme of financing Africa’s resilient and green development.
The declaration will serve as Africa’s position as it prepares to present a united front at November’s COP30 climate talks. The Summit focused on climate finance and African-led solutions as the continent’s leaders look to present a unified voice ahead of COP30 negotiations in Bélem, Brazil in November. Panelists discussed the strategy and messages the continent should present at the convention.
Panelists stressed that Africa should work to “keep the momentum” seen over the last few years. The creation of the Loss and Damage Fund, which aims to provide financial support to developing countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, was a major victory for developing countries during COP27 in 2022, while the following annual COP28 and COP29 saw countries around the world make financial pledges to the fund.
Adaptation solutions, which are crucial to reducing a community’s vulnerability to climate change remain underfunded—though the issue could not be more pressing. The problem lies in a lack of urgency, said Jacob Thoppil, head of partnerships at the Climate Investment Funds: “There needs to be an acceptance that we are in a climate crisis.”
The summit concluded with a closing plenary, during which Taye Atske Selassie, President of Ethiopia, shared his hopes that Africa will be “not just at the table, but setting the global agenda as a continent that is greener, prosperous, and more united.”
Read Also:
The momentum shown throughout the days, from financial contributions to conversations that centered climate solutions made by and for Africa, proved that the continent is moving in that direction. “Africa’s future is in Africa’s hands,” said Selassie. “And we are building it now.”
