Africa Climate Summit Commences Today in Kenya
The inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) kicks off today in Nairobi, co-hosted by Kenya and the African Union Commission (AUC). The Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu, MP, is expected to join other Heads of State and Government delegates at this significant event.
Running from 4th to 6th September 2023, the summit’s central theme is “Green Growth and Climate Finance for Africa and the World.” It aspires to elevate Africa’s voice globally and integrate it into existing international forums, including the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), G7/G20 processes, and COP 28, among others.
The Africa Climate Summit coincides with Africa Climate Week (4th – 8th September 2023), an annual event led by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This event aims to promote actions that align with and further the goals and objectives of the Paris Agreement.
This gathering is expected to bring together a diverse range of participants, including African and international leaders, development partners, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, academia, civil society organizations, women, and youth. Its primary objective is to design and catalyze actions and solutions for climate change in Africa. It will provide a platform for deliberation on the interplay between climate change, Africa’s development reality, and the necessity of increased global investment in climate action, with a specific focus on Africa.
The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) Lead Coordinators met in Nairobi to discuss key issues related to Africa’s interests and expectations for COP28. In addition to addressing the African common position on various climate thematic negotiating streams, AGN Lead Coordinators also deliberated on the Nairobi Declaration, a significant outcome document anticipated at the end of the summit.
AGN Chair, Mr. Ephraim Mwepya Shitima, pledged the group’s unwavering support to policymakers and urged Lead Coordinators to continue their critical role as technical advisors. He emphasized the importance of their role in ensuring Africa’s effective participation in global climate negotiations, taking into account the continent’s development realities and aspirations.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office Director for Africa, Ms. Rose Mwebaza, lauded the AGN’s longstanding role in facilitating Africa’s effective participation in climate processes and encouraged the group to remain steadfast in their efforts.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Soipan Tuya, emphasized the significance of the AGN’s role as a technical advisory body in climate change multilateral processes. She stressed its importance in ongoing climate processes at all levels and urged the group to continue working diligently to ensure Africa receives the maximum benefit from climate multilateral processes.
