‘COP32 must be a turning point’
Africa is receiving only 11 percent of the USD277 billion climate finance required annually until 2030. Although Africa contributes less than four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains among the region’s most vulnerable to climate change, according to latest statement from UNECA.
African climate leaders, negotiators, policymakers and partners kicked off the seventh Africa Climate Talks this week, with a strong call to move the global climate agenda from commitments to credible implementation. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Planning and Development of Ethiopia, among others.
Held under the theme “Africa’s Road to COP32: From Commitments to Credible Implementation,” the meeting comes at a decisive moment for global climate action, as countries prepare for COP31 in Türkiye and COP32, which will be hosted by Ethiopia in 2027.
Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of UNECA underscored COP32 must be a turning point for restoring trust in the multilateral climate system.
“COP32 will be a defining test of credibility,” Gatete said. “A test of whether we can move from commitments to results. A test of whether trust in the multilateral system can be restored through delivery. And a test of whether Africa’s priorities will finally be matched with action at scale.”
Gatete noted that climate impacts are worsening faster than current responses, with rising temperatures, floods, droughts, unpredictable weather and sea-level rise threatening food security, water supply, infrastructure and public finances across Africa.
“This is where the narrative must change,” Mr. Gatete said.
“To define Africa solely by vulnerability would be to miss the full picture. The continent also offers significant solutions, from abundant renewable energy resources and rich biodiversity to a young population driving innovation and green growth.”
The seventh Africa Climate Talks, convened by the African Climate Policy Centre of ECA in collaboration with ClimDevAfrica partners, aims to consolidate Africa’s post-COP30 climate agenda and refine the continent’s approach to COP31 and COP32. The discussions will focus on climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, the Global Stocktake, just transitions, carbon markets, trade and climate, and the role of climate action in advancing Africa’s structural transformation.
The executive secretary emphasized that adaptation must be treated as a development priority for Africa, as it directly supports food security, protects infrastructure, stabilizes economies and improves wellbeing. He also called for stronger data systems, expanded early warning coverage, better integration of adaptation into national budgets, and reforms to make climate finance more predictable, concessional and accessible.
Looking ahead to COP32, the executive secretary outlined five priorities for Africa’s collective engagement: positioning COP32 as an implementation-focused conference; scaling and reforming climate finance; integrating adaptation into development planning; using climate action to drive industrialization, energy access, job creation and poverty reduction; and strengthening Africa’s coherence and influence in global climate negotiations.
