AUC Commissioner Says Speaking with One Voice Crucial to Unlock Financial Pledges to Africa

Addis Ababa, September 8, 2025 (ENA) -- Speaking with one voice will be crucial to unlock the trillion dollars that were pledged to Africa, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at African Union, Moses Vilakati said.

The Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) is convening in Addis Ababa under the theme "Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa's Resilient and Green Development".

One of the core objectives of ACS2 is to accelerate the mobilization of climate finance tailored to Africa’s development context.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Commissioner said the second Africa climate summit is very significant to raise climate financing.

“We are looking at a situation where member states will have to work hand-in-hand with financial institutions to make sure that the issue of climate finance is put at the helm on the development agenda, ” the commissioner stated.

Furthermore, he emphasizes the significance of speaking with one voice, affirming that there is going to be a declaration which will take it forward to COP30 in Brazil.

Vilakati added: “What is critical here is that we need to talk with one voice, because if we are united, we will be able to move forward, we will be able to unlock the trillion dollars that were pledged to Africa.”

Africa in particular is highly affected despite it produces less of the emissions, he said, adding those pledges can then be allocated to the African countries so that they move forward.

From a country's perspective, each country needs to start looking inward, particularly when it comes to mobilizing domestic resources, the commissioner indicated.

Stating that the issue of mitigation is also critical, he said that the initiatives of countries are becoming more and more important.

The second edition of the Africa Climate Summit aims to serve as a platform to inform, frame, and influence commitments, pledges, and outcomes.

The summit also 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.

Ahead of COP30 and building on the first and second Africa Climate summit will unify Africa’s voice to shape global climate negotiations, it was learned.