African Voices Echo Urgency at SB62 Bonn Climate Conference

Amidst the vibrant discussions at the Climate Conference in Bonn, the voices of African negotiators resonate with urgency, emphasizing the need for immediate action on climate adaptation. As the 62nd session of the UN Climate Change Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) commenced on June 16th, the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) positioned itself at the forefront of critical negotiations, ensuring that the continent's adaptation priorities remain central to global climate discussions.

AAI's Strategic Presence and Engagement

The first week of SB62 has seen robust participation from AAI's Technical Support Unit members, who have been actively engaged across multiple negotiation streams and side events. AAI, in support of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN), its chair and its lead coordinators, has been instrumental in amplifying the continent's voice on adaptation finance, Global Goal on Adaptation, and just transitions.

Our team has participated in key sessions focusing on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) framework, the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), and the Just Transition Work Programme. These sessions have provided crucial platforms for AAI to advocate for Africa-specific adaptation needs and ensure that the continent's vulnerabilities are adequately addressed in global climate mechanisms.

Highlighting Africa's Climate Realities

The conference has brought to light the stark realities facing African communities. With over 600 million people in Africa lacking access to energy and more than 900 million without clean cooking solutions, AAI has consistently emphasized that energy access and clean cooking are not just development issues—they are fundamental to climate adaptation and resilience.

AGN Chair Richard Muyungi's powerful statement resonated throughout the conference halls:

"We cannot talk about just transition while over 600 million people in Africa are without access to energy and over 900 million without clean cooking solutions. Communities who lack energy access and clean cooking are much more vulnerable to climate impacts."

The health dimension of climate change has also featured prominently in discussions. AAI has highlighted how African countries, already grappling with precarious health systems, face additional strain from climate impacts that exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and put lives at risk. The initiative has called for ambitious collaboration to address these multifaceted challenges holistically, emphasizing that health is the neglected yet universal face of the climate crisis.

Adaptation Finance: A Critical Battle

One of the most contentious discussions has centered on climate finance. AAI has strongly supported AGN's position that the NCQG must not shift the legal obligations of developed countries under the Convention and Paris Agreement. The disappointment over COP29's outcome—where Africa and other developing countries requested $1.3 trillion but received only $300 billion with diluted responsibilities—has shaped much of the week's discourse.

AAI has emphasized that calls for ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0 must be matched with corresponding financial resources for implementation. As Dr. Muyungi noted, "We cannot talk about ambition without implementation resources. We have continued singing the song of adaptation finance for African countries to implement their adaptation actions."

The organization has particularly focused on the Global Goal on Adaptation indicators, advocating for a manageable number of relevant indicators that include means of implementation measures aligned with Articles 9, 10, and 11 of the Convention and Paris Agreement. AAI has also called for strengthened support for National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), recognizing them as essential instruments for building resilience across the continent.

Loss and Damage: Addressing Irreversible Costs

The loss and damage discussions have been particularly poignant, with AAI supporting calls for strengthened multilateral responses to deliver tangible support to vulnerable communities. With estimated needs reaching up to $937 billion in 2025, the organization has urged scaled-up support in finance, technology, capacity building, and technical assistance.

AAI has acknowledged the efforts of the Warsaw International Mechanism Executive Committee, the Santiago Network, and the new Fund for responding to Loss and Damage, while calling for stronger coordination among these entities to ensure effective delivery of support to affected communities.

Just Transition: Beyond Dialogue to Action

The Just Transition Work Programme has provided another avenue for AAI to advocate for Africa's development needs. The organization has called for the program to focus on international finance and cooperation, emphasizing the enhancement of developing countries' competitiveness and unlocking access to socio-economic opportunities.

AAI has particularly stressed that just resilience must be a pillar of any transition framework, ensuring that adaptation efforts address the unequal distribution of climate risks and deliver fair, inclusive benefits to communities. The organization maintains that just transition should extend beyond dialogue to deliver outcomes central to community livelihoods, including enhanced access to clean energy through initiatives such as clean cooking and addressing energy security.

Looking Ahead: Steering Committee Meeting and COP30 Preparations

This weekend, AAI will convene its Steering Committee meeting in Bonn, bringing together key stakeholders to assess the progress of its action and continue to strategize for the future according to its workplan. This timely gathering will allow AAI to consolidate positions, refine advocacy strategies, and ensure coordinated action as discussions intensify toward COP30 in Brazil.

The Steering Committee meeting represents a crucial moment for AAI to evaluate progress on adaptation priorities, address emerging challenges, and strengthen partnerships with key allies in the climate negotiations. With COP30 being positioned as the "implementation COP," AAI's strategic planning during this weekend meeting will be instrumental in shaping the organization's approach to securing meaningful outcomes for African adaptation.

Conclusion: AAI's Unwavering Commitment to African Adaptation

As the first week of SB62 concludes, AAI remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that African voices are not just heard but heeded in global climate discussions. The organization continues to champion the principle that effective climate action must address the continent's unique vulnerabilities while unlocking opportunities for sustainable development.

The path ahead requires sustained engagement, strategic advocacy, and unwavering commitment to the communities AAI serves. As we move toward COP30, AAI calls upon the global community to move beyond pledges to implementation, ensuring that adaptation finance, technology transfer, and capacity building reach those who need them most.

The climate crisis demands urgent action, and Africa cannot afford to wait. AAI remains ready to lead, collaborate, and ensure that the continent's adaptation priorities translate into tangible benefits for millions of vulnerable people across Africa.