African leaders and climate negotiators have called for global climate action that reflects the continent’s unique vulnerabilities, as ministers gathered at a high-level event during the second UNFCCC Climate Week.
Hosted by the COP29 Presidency, the meeting focused on recognizing and addressing Africa’s special needs and circumstances in the context of climate change.
Dr. Richard Muyungi, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), emphasized that Africa’s position is grounded in data and lived realities, not sentiment.
“Africa’s special needs and circumstances is not an illusion but a reality informed by the continent’s unique circumstances—being the lowest in terms of development index, highest in poverty levels and more likely unable to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 as compared to other regions,” said Dr. Muyungi.
“Africa’s unique circumstances are also characterized by resource and capacity constraints, climate vulnerabilities, historical and future GHG emissions responsibility, immediate needs for adaptation and mitigation, and a long-term vision for sustainable development.”
He urged the international community to formally recognize these conditions in the global climate process, pointing out the continent’s near-zero emissions contribution and disproportionate exposure to climate impacts.
COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to Africa through the Non-Aligned Movement.
“We will work with African nations to place their needs and priorities at the centre of the climate debate,” Babayev stated.
African countries continue to support the objectives of the Paris Agreement, particularly Article 2, which aims to combat climate change within the broader goals of sustainable development and poverty eradication. However, African ministers insist that any climate response must consider the continent’s developmental stage and leave room for a just transition.
The session formed part of the second UNFCCC Climate Week (CW2), held in Addis Ababa from 1–6 September 2025, under the theme “Dialogues for Ambition and Implementation.” The meeting also served as a precursor to the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), which runs from 8–10 September.
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