AUC Chairperson Stresses Climate Finance Must Be Fair, Significant, and Predictable

Addis Ababa, September 8, 2025 (ENA) -- African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called for fair, significant, and predictable climate finance to support Africa’s adaptation and resilience efforts.

The Second Africa Climate Summit officially opened today in Addis Ababa in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, heads of state and government of African nations, representatives of international organizations, and other high-level officials.

The Summit emphasizes the need for Africa to harness climate financing strategies that address the impacts of climate change while contributing to both climate adaptation and mitigation interventions and ensuring green development.

Speaking on the occasion, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf underscored that the African Union firmly believes climate finance must be fair, significant, and predictable.

“Let us witness a distinct final movement to reaffirm our continent’s unequivocal position regarding our global obligations, while still recognizing our differentiated responsibilities,” he said.

He emphasized that the vulnerability of African countries, exacerbated by climate change, debt burdens, and the structural inequalities of the international financial system, must be addressed through climate justice.

He further called for genuine cooperation in implementing Africa’s adaptation plan, backed by financial resources, technology, and expertise.

The three-day gathering aims to position Africa as a unified force to influence COP30, the G20, UNGA, and other global platforms; advance reforms to scale up grant-based climate finance and investment mechanisms; showcase African-led climate solutions with global potential; and forge strategic partnerships to support the continent’s resilient and green development pathways.

This pan-African gathering is also expected to adopt the African Leaders’ Addis Ababa Declaration and launch a flagship report on initiatives and partnerships at national, regional, continental, and global levels.

Hosting the Summit reflects Ethiopia’s strong commitment to African-led climate action and leadership, as well as advancing bold, continent-wide solutions.

Leaders, innovators, and change-makers are gathered in Addis Ababa to shape Africa’s climate future.