Africa urged to shift from climate positions to action

African climate negotiators have been urged to prioritise tangible, financed outcomes that deliver real impact over longstanding negotiating positions.

The call comes as the continent seeks to translate its unified climate positions into implementable actions that address development needs and improve livelihoods.

Nana Dr Antwi‑Boasiako Amoah, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), made the call at the opening of a pre‑meeting ahead of the Subsidiary Body meeting (SB64) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Nairobi, Kenya. 

“Africa must move from position to power. We have strong negotiating positions; that is no longer the issue. The real challenge is how we translate those positions into outcomes that are financed, implemented, and felt on the ground,” he said.

The meeting, held shortly after a high‑level AGN strategic session in Accra, is aimed at refining Africa's collective approach ahead of SB64.

It is expected to build on outcomes from the recent Conference of Parties, including the adoption of the Belém Gender Action Plan, which provides a framework for advancing gender‑responsive climate action.

Discussions also highlighted ongoing work under the Sharm el‑Sheikh Joint Work on Agriculture, underscoring the urgency of addressing Africa's food systems and livelihoods.

Dr Amoah, also Ghana's Director of Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation, emphasised that internal coordination and technical capacity remained essential for effective global engagement.

He urged participants to take advantage of opportunities under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to link climate action with economic value for communities, while ensuring coherence across sectors.

“There are no separate conversations. Agriculture, gender, finance, and just transition must come together in a coherent African approach because implementation does not happen in silos,” he said.

Dr Amoah identified climate finance as a major concern and stressed the need for a stronger, coordinated African strategy to close the gap between global pledges and actual financial flows to developing countries.

He noted that Africa had a unique opportunity to shape the global climate agenda, especially as the continent prepares to host COP32.

“Africa is not just participating in this process. Africa is helping to define what implementation should look like in real terms, grounded in development, equity, and justice,” he added.

The pre‑SB64 strategy meeting is expected to conclude with a unified African position backed by strong technical analysis, as negotiators prepare to engage the global community with renewed clarity and purpose.

---GNA