African Climate Negotiators Urge Action on Finance, Unified Leadership Ahead of  2nd Africa Climate Summit

Addis Ababa, September 2, 2025 (ENA) -- African climate negotiators attending the meeting preceding the Second Africa Climate Summit have underscored the urgent need for finance, just transition, and unified political leadership to address the continent’s growing vulnerability to climate change.

Speaking to ENA, Princess Abze Djigma, Coordinator of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), stressed that climate action must be backed by concrete implementation.

Africa possesses vast resources, including critical minerals valued in the trillions, but these must be effectively managed and leveraged for sustainable development, she noted.

 

“Our role is to ensure that just transition is not just a word, but about making development sustainable, fair, and equitable for every single person.”

According to her, affordable financing is critical for African nations already carrying heavy debt burdens and suffering from climate shocks such as floods and droughts.

On his part, Evans Davie Njewa, Chairperson of the LDC Group at the UN Climate, stated that the gathering in Addis Ababa is not only about discussions but also about mobilizing accessible climate finance that reaches affected communities.

 

He warned that the worsening impacts of climate change, including food insecurity, floods, and destruction of infrastructure, constitute a “climate emergency” for the continent.

“This finance must be accessible, mostly in the form of grants, and must flow to the people in need.”

Njewa also stressed that climate action must go hand-in-hand with job creation, resilience-building, and poverty reduction.

Angelina Tutuah Mensah, Negotiator on Response Measures, Gender and Climate Change, and Just Transition, called for Africa’s unique priorities to be reflected in global climate action.

 

She warned against unsuitable or hazardous technologies being imposed on the continent and insisted that capacity-building must be tailored to Africa’s needs.

Moreover, she underlined that finance is very key for whatever we are doing here.

“Our contribution to emissions is negligible. And therefore, if we need to make certain sacrifices, then we have to be compensated in various ways, including through finance,” Mensah underscored.

The negotiator further urged African Union leaders to make climate change a top priority, ensure ministerial commitment, and adopt a coherent approach across governments.

Climate Institutional Development Advisor at the Ethiopian Ministry of Planning and Development, Mensur Dessie, believes that Africa must raise bold voices and demand realistic support in the global fight against climate change.

 

Although some progress has been made since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, the results remain insufficient compared to the scale of the challenges, according to the advisor.

He stressed that Africa, one of the most disproportionately affected regions, has not been receiving the level of support that was anticipated under international commitments.

The ongoing pre-summit event to the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) is taking place in Ethiopia from 5-7 September 2025.

 

Following this, the Second Africa Climate Summit, which aims to redefine Africa’s aspirations for a climate-resilient and prosperous future, will take place from September 8-10.

The Summit will focus on the theme, “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development”.

The Government of Ethiopia is co-hosting the Summit with the African Union Commission (AUC).