AFRICA STRENGTHENS CLIMATE NEGOTIATION STRATEGY AHEAD OF SB62 AND COP30.
BY NJOKI KARANJA.
The role of smallholder farmers, who often face the brunt of climate-related shocks, was also highlighted, with discussions centering around policies that protect agri-value chains and enhance resilience.Agriculture is not the only sector where Africa faces unique challenges.
With climate change posing an increasing threat to the continent, African climate negotiators and experts have convened in Kenya to refine their strategy ahead of critical global climate discussions. The Pre-SB62 Africa Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) Strategy Meeting, launched in Nairobi, underscores Africa’s commitment to strengthening its position in international climate negotiations.
The forum, which brings together over 100 delegates, is a crucial step in ensuring Africa’s voice is amplified at the upcoming 62nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) and COP30. Officiating the meeting, Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, warned that climate change is no longer a distant threat but an urgent reality.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is our daily reality,” Dr. Ng’eno stated, highlighting alarming projections from the World Meteorological Organization that 2025 is expected to be one of the three warmest years on record.
Africa’s Climate Vulnerability and Key Priorities
The meeting underscored Africa’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change, with rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and extreme climate events threatening key sectors, particularly agriculture. As the backbone of many African economies, agriculture faces an existential crisis, jeopardizing food security for the continent’s growing population.
Dr. Ng’eno stressed the urgency of climate-smart agriculture, advocating for nature-based solutions such as agroforestry and regenerative agriculture to enhance resilience and sustainability.
The Climate Finance Gap
A recurring theme at the meeting was Africa’s limited access to climate finance and technology, which significantly hampers adaptation efforts. Dr. Ng’eno reiterated the necessity of increased climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building to support sustainable climate solutions.
“Adaptation is not just a necessity; it is an existential imperative,” he emphasized, calling for global action to bridge Africa’s climate finance gap.
The discussions also reflected on key outcomes from COP29, where progress was made on a USD 300 billion annual climate action target for developing nations. African leaders are determined to ensure that the continent’s priorities—adaptation, finance, agriculture, gender, and human mobility—remain central to global climate negotiations.
Towards a Unified African Climate Agenda
As the meeting progresses, African negotiators are sharpening their positions to present a strong, unified stance at SB62 and COP30. They are pushing for increased international support to enhance climate resilience and ensure equitable climate solutions for the continent.
Dr. Ng’eno’s call for unity and strategic advocacy reflects Africa’s growing determination to shape global climate policy and secure tangible commitments from developed nations. With the world facing an intensifying climate crisis, Africa’s leadership in climate negotiations is more crucial than ever.
