Olusegun Ariyo
African Union leaders on Sunday, February 16, 2025, demanded a massive increase in climate finance, calling for $1.3 trillion annually as Kenyan President, William Ruto, chaired a high-stake meeting ahead of upcoming global climate negotiations.
The summit at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, underscored the vast gap between developed nations’ commitments and Africa’s actual needs in the fight against climate change.
“Africa presented a unified voice at COP29, with strong participation from African leaders, ministers, and experts. While the conference made some progress on key issues such as climate finance, adaptation, and carbon markets, the outcomes fell short of Africa’s expectations,” Ruto said.
The Kenyan president noted that the current pledge to mobilise $300 billion by 2035 represents just a fraction of what Africa requires to effectively address climate challenges.
South African Minister, Dion George, highlighted his country’s upcoming G20 presidency as a crucial opportunity for advancing the continent’s environmental agenda.
“Through the G20, South Africa will continue to contribute to global efforts in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution,” George said.
Kenyan Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, emphasised the need for continental unity on climate issues.
“It is imperative for African nations to speak with one voice on matters of debt and climate change. Our collective strength will ensure that our concerns are heard and addressed in international forums,” Mudavadi said.
Serah Makka of the ONE Campaign called for fundamental changes in how Africa’s wealth is calculated.
“Africa needs to recalibrate its economic metrics to truly reflect its wealth, including natural assets. This will not only improve our debt ratios but also attract sustainable investments,” Makka said.
The gathering concluded with a unanimous commitment to develop a comprehensive climate finance plan before the COP30 conference in Brazil.
