President William Ruto has urged African leaders to present a united front at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) later this year.
The President emphasized that Africa’s agenda at COP29, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, should focus on advocating for a fair and equitable climate financing system.
He noted that this new financing must match the urgency and scale of the climate crisis while addressing the specific needs of Africa and other developing nations.
Speaking during an Extraordinary Meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) held on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Ruto highlighted the importance of increasing global investment in energy transition.
He stressed that Africa should push for this investment to rise beyond the current 3% to effectively support climate adaptation.
“This meeting serves as a strategic step in aligning our position for COP29 in Baku this November,” President Ruto said.
The Kenyan leader, who chairs CAHOSCC, noted that Africa must focus on investments in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green transport, and nature-based solutions, all of which are crucial for ensuring climate-resilient development.
Also present at the meeting were African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat and President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, the current chair of the African Union.
President Ruto emphasized that these investments are essential not only for Africa’s development but also for the global community.
“Low-carbon, climate-resilient development will benefit both Africa and the rest of the world,” he stated.
In addition, the President called for continued advocacy on debt sustainability and reform of the international financial system to promote climate justice.
He pointed out that climate-related shocks, compounded by high debt servicing, restrict governments’ ability to invest in green resilience measures.
“As climate shocks increase in frequency and severity, coupled with rising debt, African nations are finding it difficult to spend on climate adaptation,” President Ruto explained, adding that high interest rates and credit downgrades have made refinancing even more expensive.
Earlier in the day, President Ruto chaired the inaugural Steering Committee Meeting of the African Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII).
The AGII is a platform that brings together African leaders, as well as partners from finance, industry, and philanthropic sectors, to promote green industrial and infrastructure projects across the continent.
“This initiative aims to unlock investments for large-scale, high-impact green projects and integrate value chains across Africa,” he said.
The President highlighted the initiative’s role in driving the continent’s economic transformation through green industrialization.
Echoing the President’s remarks, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat emphasized that African leaders must maintain a unified stance on climate financing at COP29.
He reiterated the importance of the CAHOSCC meeting, describing it as a reflection of Africa’s commitment to combating the existential threat posed by climate change.
“As a result of climate change, some African countries have experienced GDP losses of up to 5%, demonstrating the magnitude of the crisis,” Mr. Faki noted.
