More than 70 African climate negotiators from 35 countries gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday to promote climate justice for the continent. The two-day Special Session of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change aims to solidify Africa’s unified position on crucial issues like climate finance, adaptation, and loss and damage, ensuring the continent’s voice remains strong in global climate negotiations.
Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s special climate envoy and chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change, emphasized the significance of the meeting. “The convening comes at a critical moment for Africa’s climate agenda because we will review the outcomes of the 29th session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024,” he said.
“We are also strategizing for the upcoming Committee of the African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change taking place later this month,” Mohamed added. The meeting will set priorities for 2025 and outline Africa’s united position ahead of COP30, scheduled to be held in Brazil later this year.
Harsen Nyambe, director of the Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate at the African Union Commission, stressed the urgency for the continent to be proactive in climate diplomacy. “Africa cannot afford to be a passive participant in climate diplomacy. We must be proactive, strategic, and united in driving a climate agenda that positions the continent as a leader in the green economy,” Nyambe said.
He highlighted Africa’s quest for climate justice, which includes supporting the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, increasing investment in renewable energy, and strengthening community-driven climate adaptation strategies. Nyambe expressed optimism that African countries are expected to receive adequate climate funds if global climate finance mechanisms are reformed.
Cover image: A view of the 30-meter-high Fourteen Falls on the Athi River in Thika, Kenya, February 1, 2025. /VCG
