The Africa Climate Summit (ACS), co-hosted by the African Union Commission, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), announced the release of the African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action.
The Nairobi Declaration will serve as Africa’s common position in global climate change processes, including COP28 slated for December 2023 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The pact serves as a clarion call for the global community to urgently act to reduce emissions, fulfil obligations, deliver on pledges made before, and support the continent in addressing climate change.
In the face of the profound challenges posed by climate change in Africa, President William Ruto of Kenya promised to stand unwavering in their commitment to confront this existential threat to all of humanity
“Africa’s abundance of wind and solar energy can power our development, creating jobs, protecting local economies, and accelerating the sustainable industrialization of the continent. But for us to lead the way toward a sustainable and prosperous future for our continent and the world, finance and technology must be provided to our developing countries. As we come together at the Africa Climate Summit and the Africa Climate Week, we aim to weave a single, resounding African voice that will carry the outcomes of these crucial events to COP28 and beyond,” said President Ruto.
The declaration urges developed nations to honour their commitment to provide $100 billion annually in climate finance and calls for delivery on and beyond the following priority areas:
Adaptation and resilience; climate finance commitments; global carbon taxation; green growth and investments; loss and damage; multilateral financial reforms; natural assets and biodiversity; ocean sustainability; phasing out fossil fuels; and urgent action on emissions reduction.
President Ruto, and a driving force behind the inaugural ACS, commended progressive capital commitments made during the week, which have reached a combined total of US$26 billion from public, private, and multilateral development banks, philanthropic foundations, and dedicated partners in the development finance community.
Highlighting the imperative to deepen local and global cooperation for shared prosperity, Joseph Nganga the CEO of Africa Climate Summit said:
“Our summit recognises that Africa is affected by the climate crisis, but equally importantly, it highlights that investing in the continent’s future can significantly benefit the region and the world. Africa requires funding, innovative policies, and enhanced cooperation. We have the power to address this crisis through global collaboration. Our message calls for urgency and hope.”
According to Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, the world is asking a lot, but don’t do it in a carbon-intensive way and it is a global responsibility to work out how to do it collectively that was exactly why the African Climate Summit was held.
“We’re here to do so that African nations can come to COP28 leading in action and ambition. The discussions here will inform the global stock take about the challenges, barriers, solutions and opportunities for climate action and support within the context of Africa that the UNFCCC Secretariat can work with,” said Mr Stiell.
The inaugural ACS was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in the presence of African and global leaders, intergovernmental organisations, Regional Economic Communities and United Nations Agencies.
Also, in attendance were the private sector, civil society organisations, indigenous peoples, local communities, civil society organisations, youth, and academia.
At the summit’s close, President Ruto called for implementing the efforts required to meet Africa’s ambitions for climate action
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