ACCRA STRATEGIC MEETING SETS THE STAGE FOR A STRONGER AFRICAN VOICE AHEAD OF COP31 AND COP32

Africa has taken a decisive step towards shaping global climate outcomes, ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, and COP32 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as leaders, negotiators, and partners convene in Accra for a high-level Strategic Meeting of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change(AGN).

The three-day meeting, supported by key institutions supporting Africa’s climate agenda including the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI), marks a critical moment for the continent to consolidate its priorities and strengthen coordination.

AAI at the Center of Africa’s Technical Support and Adaptation Agenda

As Africa strengthens its negotiating platform, the AAI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the continent’s adaptation priorities.

Kulthoum Omari Motsumi, Technical Advisor at AAI, highlighted the Initiative’s decade-long role in advancing Africa’s adaptation agenda, as mandated by the African Heads of State and Government.

“As a creation of African Heads of State and government to support adaptation efforts on the continent, AAI remains committed to this mandate. As we commemorate 10 years of our existence, we remain steadfast in our quest to continue offering technical support to the African Group of Negotiators as mandated by our leaders, with particular emphasis on ensuring that adaptation remains a global priority, particularly given the dwindling financial resources and limited capacity to adapt to what we have not caused.”

A Defining Moment for Africa’s Climate Leadership

Welcoming participants, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, CEO of Ghana’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), underscored the urgency of unity in advancing Africa’s interests.

“Africa’s strength in global climate negotiations has always been its unity… we must ensure our collective voice continues to shape outcomes that reflect our realities and aspirations.”

Despite contributing the least to global emissions, Africa continues to face disproportionate climate impacts. This reality continues to anchor the continent’s call for equity, justice, and adequate support in global climate action.

From Participation to Influence

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Baba Issifu Seidu emphasised that the global climate process has shifted into a phase focused on implementation, accountability, and delivery.

“Africa must position itself not only as a participant, but as a driver of outcomes across all negotiation tracks.”

Key priorities highlighted during the meeting include:

•⁠ ⁠Advancing the Global Goal on Adaptation with clear modalities for the Belem-Addis vision;

•⁠ ⁠Securing accessible and adequate climate finance under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG); and

•⁠ ⁠Ensuring equity in mitigation efforts while supporting just transitions and energy access.

A Strategic Turning Point

As Africa prepares to host COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027, the meeting represents more than just another preparatory session; it is a strategic turning point.

Stakeholders emphasised that Africa must move beyond defending positions to actively shaping outcomes, particularly on critical issues such as climate finance, adaptation, and just transition.

The urgency is clear, without adequate and accessible climate finance, the continent’s efforts to adapt and transition will fall short.

With Ghana at the helm of the AGN, and with strengthened collaboration among African institutions and partners, the Accra Strategic Meeting is poised to redefine how Africa engages in global climate negotiations.

For AAI, this moment reinforces its mandate, to ensure adaptation remains central to global climate discourse, and that Africa’s voice continues to drive meaningful, equitable outcomes.